D-95-27

Subject

This directive contains the conditions that permit the importation of fresh blackberries and raspberries from Mexico.

Fresh fruit can be imported into Canada without any restrictions.

This directive has been revised because the trial period was successfully completed. Importation will continue without the requirements for a Phytosanitary Certificate.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope

1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Fees
1.3 Regulated Commodities

2.0 Specific Requirements
2.1 Import Requirements
2.2 Inspection
2.3 Non-Compliance
2.4 Other Requirements

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is May 19, 2011. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Horticulture Section.

Endorsement

Approved by:

Amendment Record

Amendments to 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

Until 1995, fresh blackberries and raspberries from Mexico were not permitted entry into Canada. This is consistent with the policy that prohibits the entry of fresh temperate fruit from a new source until a pest risk analysis is completed. On completion of this analysis, Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) concluded that the importation of fresh blackberries, raspberries and loganberries from Mexico could be permitted. A trial importation period was implemented to verify the absence of quarantine pests through product inspection.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by those wishing to import fresh blackberries and raspberries from Mexico. It is also intended for the use of the CFIA inspection staff and the Canada Border Services Agency in order to determine the import requirements that must be met for this fruit to enter Canada.

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 Commodities

All varieties of fresh blackberries and raspberries. (Rubus spp.)

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

Conditions:

A Permit to Import issued by the Plant Health Division of the CFIA is not required.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is not required.

The Mexican origin of shipments must be clearly identified on shipping documents.

Shipments must be free of quarantine pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris.

2.2 Inspection Procedures

Shipments may be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. If 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 laboratory results.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. examine shipments for freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris;
   
   
2. inspect according to the general instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual for fresh fruit, Section 4.02.04;
   
   
3. take specimens of any pests and submit them for identification, according to the instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual, Sections 4.02.04 and 4.11.

2.3 Non-Compliance

Shipments may be refused entry and returned to origin, or disposed of if they are found to be infested with quarantine pests. If determined feasible by the inspector, however, such shipments may be rerouted to other destinations, or diverted to approved processing facilities, provided such a course of action does not cause unwarranted pest risk.

The importation program will be suspended if living stages of any quarantine pests are found in any trial shipment, until remedial action is taken at origin.

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

CFIA will advise the Direccion General de Sanidad Vegetal of Mexico of any pest interceptions and of non-compliance with any of the 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. 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 should be directed to local offices of CFIA.