D-94-36

SUBJECT

This directive outlines the plant protection (phytosanitary) requirements for the importation of fresh pears (Pyrus spp.) from the Netherlands in order to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests.

This policy has been revised due to the successful completion of the trial importation period, to remove the requirement for an additional declaration on the Phytosanitary Certificate, and because Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella, has been removed from Canada's regulated pest list. The status of Codling Moth as a quarantine pest will be periodically reviewed with respect to ongoing eradication efforts.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope
References

1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Fees
1.3 Regulated pests
1.4 Regulated Commodities
1.5 Commodities Exempt
1.6 Regulated Areas

2.0 Specific Requirements
2.1 Import Requirements
2.1.1 Pre-Shipment Conditions
2.1.2 Permit to Import
2.1.3 Phytosanitary Certificate
2.2 Inspection Requirements
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 April 13, 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

As with other importations of fresh fruit from new sources, the importation of fresh pears from the Netherlands was subjected to a trial importation period. This trial period was required to verify, by inspection, that shipments of fresh pears from the Netherlands can routinely be imported free of quarantine pests and meet the phytosanitary requirements outlined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in this directive. The trial importation period has been successfully completed and approved orchards from the Netherlands may begin regular shipments of pears to Canada.

Scope

This directive is intended for the use of importers, CFIA inspectors, Canada Border Services Agency, exporters and the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands.

This document supercedes D-94-36 (Original), dated April 24, 1995.

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 visit us at our website.

1.3 Regulated pests

Fungi: Monilinia fructigena (Brown rot)

Mites: Amphitetranychus viennensis (Hawthorn spider mite)

Insects: Leucoptera malifoliella (Pear leaf blister moth)

The above is a list of the quarantine pests considered most likely to be found on pears imported from the Netherlands. This list does not include all quarantine pests. Quarantine action will be taken when any quarantine pest is intercepted.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

All varieties of fresh pears (Pyrus spp.).

1.5 Commodities Exempt

Dried, processed, or frozen pears.

1.6 Regulated Areas

The Netherlands.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Pre-Shipment Conditions

The pears must originate from orchards in the Netherlands approved to export to Canada by the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands and where cultural practises and chemical controls are carried out to ensure freedom from the regulated pests,

AND

The shipments must be inspected at origin, prior to being shipped, by the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands to ensure freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris.

2.1.2 Permit to Import

A Permit to Import is not required.

2.1.3 Phytosanitary Certificate

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. This document must be issued by the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands within 14 days before the pears are shipped from the Netherlands to Canada. The original Phytosanitary Certificate must be presented at the time of import into Canada.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

Shipments will be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. When a shipment is inspected, a random sample of 5% of the contents of the shipment will be examined and if pests are found, the shipment will be detained pending the results of pest identification. If pests are not found in the initial 5% sample, but there is evidence of pest activity, e.g. presence of frass, signs of decay, or soil, a further 5% sample may be randomly selected and examined.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. verify that the Phytosanitary Certificate, including the additional declaration, conforms to the Import Requirements specified under Section 2.1. of this directive;
    
2. examine shipments for freedom from quarantine pests (making reference to the appropriate pest fact sheets), soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris;
    
3. inspect according to the general instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual for fresh fruit, Section 4.02.04;
    
4. take specimens if any pests are found, place the shipment in quarantine, and submit specimens 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 must meet all requirements when they reach first point of arrival in Canada.

Shipments found infested with pests will be held in quarantine pending laboratory identification. Shipments may be refused entry and returned to origin or disposed of if they do not meet the necessary 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, or diverted to approved processing facilities, provided such a course of action does not cause unwarranted pest risk.

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

The Plant Health Division of CFIA will advise the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands of any pest interceptions and/or non-compliance with any of the conditions outlined in this directive that are of a significant or emergency nature.

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 should be directed to the local offices of the CFIA.