Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

This directive states the conditions that permit the importation of fresh grapes from Greece.

This directive has been revised to remove reference to the trial period which ended on July 31, 1999 and to update format.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope

1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Fees
1.3 Regulated Pests
1.4 Regulated Commodities

2.0 Specific Requirements
2.1 Import Requirements
2.1.1 Conditions
2.1.2 Permit to Import
2.1.3 Phytosanitary Certificate
2.2 Inspection Procedures
2.3 Non-Compliance
2.4 Other Requirements

3.0 Appendix
Appendix l: Treatment Schedule for Grapes from Greece

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 2 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is June 12, 2008. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Horticulture Section.

Endorsement

Approved by:

Amendment Record

Amendments of this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below.

Distribution

1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA, USDA)
2. Provincial Government, Industry (via Regions)
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)
4. Internet

Introduction

Importation of fresh grapes from Greece was permitted following the completion of a pest risk assessment. The Plant Health Division of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) concluded in 1995 that the importation of fresh grapes from Greece can be permitted, provided Greece meets the requirements stipulated in this directive to minimize risk.

The pests regulated by this directive cause damage resulting in yield and quality losses, and their presence in vineyards may necessitate the use of controls.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by those wishing to import fresh grapes from Greece into Canada. This directive is also intended for the use of the CFIA inspection staff, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the National Plant Protection Organization of Greece in order to determine what the requirements are for this fruit to enter Canada.

This directive supersedes D-95-20 (1^st Revision) dated July 10, 1997.

1.0 General Requirements

1.1 Legislative Authority

The Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c. 22
The Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part 1 (05/13/2000)

1.2 Fees

The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact the Import Service Centres (ISC) at the following phone numbers: Eastern ISC 1-877-493-0468; Central ISC 1-800-835-4486; Western ISC 1-888-732-6222. Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice website.

1.3 Regulated Pests

*White rot (Coniella diplodiella)
*Anthracnose (Elsinoe ampelina)
*Phomopsis cane & leaf spot (Phomopsis viticola)
European grape berry moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella)
Vine moth (Lobesia botrana)

* The regulation of these pests is under review.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

All varieties of fresh grapes (Vitis spp.)

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Conditions:

To enter Canada, grapes grown in Greece must meet the following conditions:

a. the grapes must originate from vineyards where cultural practices, chemical controls and post-harvest inspection and grading are carried out to ensure freedom from the regulated pests, and

b. the grapes must be fumigated with methyl bromide according to the schedule in Appendix 1, and

c. shipments must be free of pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris, including woody materials, except stems of fruit.

2.1.2 Permit to Import:

A Permit to Import from CFIA's Plant Health Division is not required.

2.1.3 Phytosanitary Certificate:

a. A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. This document must be issued by the Plant Protection Service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Greece within 14 days prior to shipment from Greece and must accompany the shipment to Canada.

b. The following additional declarations are required:

"The fruit in this shipment has been inspected and found free of all living stages of Coniella diplodiella, Elsinoe ampelina, and Phomopsis viticola, and has been fumigated with methyl bromide for control of Eupoecilia ambiguella and Lobesia botrana."

In accordance with the requirements in Appendix 1, fumigation details should appear in the treatment box of the certificate and include temperature and rate. Two hours of exposure is required.

2.2 Inspection Procedures

Shipments may be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. When a shipment is inspected, a representative sample of 5% of the contents will be randomly selected, and examined. If evidence of pest activity or pests are found in the initial 5% sample, a further sample may be randomly selected and examined. If pests are found, samples may be sent for laboratory identification, and the shipment detained pending the results.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. Verify that the Phytosanitary Certificate conforms to the requirements specified under section 2.1, Import Requirements, of this directive;
2. Verify the adequacy of fumigation by comparing the details provided on the Phytosanitary Certificate against the schedule in Appendix 1;
3. Examine shipments for freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris, including woody material;
4. Inspect according to the general instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual for fresh fruit, Section 4.02.04;
5. Take specimens of any pests found and submit them for identification, according to the instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual, Section 4.02.04 and 4.11.

2.3 Non-Compliance

Shipments must meet all requirements when they reach first point of arrival in Canada.

Shipments found infested with pests will be held pending laboratory identification. Shipments may be refused entry and returned to origin or disposed of if they do not meet requirements or if they are found to be infested with any quarantine pests. If requested by the importer, and determined feasible by the inspector, such shipments may be rerouted to other destinations, treated, or diverted to approved processing facilities, provided such a course of action does not cause unwarranted pest risk.

The discovery of living stages of any quarantine pests in a shipments may result in suspension of the importation program until remedial action is taken at origin.

The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to disposal, removal, rerouting or diversion to processing facilities, including costs incurred by CFIA to monitor the action taken.

The Plant Health Division of CFIA will advise the Plant Protection Service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Greece of any pest interceptions and of non-compliance with any conditions outlined in this directive.

2.4 Other Requirements

Other Canadian import requirements, which are in addition to those stated above, include:

1. chemical residue standards as established under the Food and Drug Regulations,
2. licensing and inspection requirements as established under the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act,
3. regulatory inspection as established under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act, and
4. packaging and labelling requirements as established under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations.

It is the importer's responsibility to know and satisfy these requirements.

Questions and requests for information on any requirements may be directed to any local office of CFIA.

3.0 Appendix

Appendix l: Treatment Schedule for Grapes from Greece

Appendix 1

Treatment Schedule for Grapes from Greece

Exposure for two hours is required at normal atmospheric pressure. The aeration period should be according to the label directions.