D-94-37

Subject

This directive describes the conditions that permit the importation of the following Prunus fruits from South Africa: apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and prunes.

This directive has been revised to remove references to the trial period which ended on February 28, 1997 and to update the format and references.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

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
2.2 Inspection Requirements
2.3 Non-Compliance
2.4 Other

3.0 Appendix
Appendix 1: Treatment Schedule

Review

This directive will be reviewed every five years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is April 28, 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

Fresh fruits from new sources are prohibited entry into Canada until a Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) and a trial period are completed. Both the PRA and trial period for Prunus fruit from South Africa were completed and the Plant Health Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has concluded that it may be imported with minimal pest risk, provided that South Africa meet the import requirements stipulated in this directive.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by those wishing to import the following Prunus fruits from South Africa: apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and prunes, 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 (NPPO) of South Africa in order to determine what the requirements are for these fruits to enter Canada.

This directive supercedes D-94-37 (Original) dated April 24, 1995.

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

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

For the province of British Columbia (B.C.):

Cydia pomonella (Codling moth)

Codling moth, though present in British Columbia, is regulated because an intensive codling moth eradication program is in progress in that province.

Grapholita molesta (Oriental fruit moth)

Oriental fruit moth is regulated for British Columbia because it is not established in that province.

For other provinces of Canada:

No regulated pests.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

All varieties of the following fresh fruits: apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and prunes, from South Africa are permitted entry under the requirements specified in this directive.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Conditions:

Apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and prunes grown in South Africa must meet the following conditions to enter Canada:

If destined to British Columbia:

• the fruits must originate from orchards in South Africa where cultural practices and chemical controls are carried out to ensure freedom from the regulated pests,
  
  and
  
  
• the fruits must be fumigated with methyl bromide in accordance with the attached schedule (Appendix I),
  
  and
  
  
• the shipments must be free of leaves, soil, sand and plant debris.

If destined to provinces other than British Columbia:

• the shipments must be free of leaves, soil, sand 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 plant protection authority of South Africa within 14 days prior to shipment from South Africa and must accompany the shipment to Canada.

The following additional declaration is required if the shipment is destined to British Columbia:

"The Prunus fruit in this shipment was fumigated with methyl bromide (specify details, ie. temperature, rate, time of exposure and normal atmospheric temperature), for control of Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta)."

This declaration should appear in the treatment box of the certificate.

No additional declaration is required if the shipment is destined to provinces other than British Columbia.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

All shipments may be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. Inspection should be carried out on a random sample of 5% of the content. If pests are found, or if there is evidence of pest activity, the rate should be increased to 10%.

CFIA inspectors should:

1) verify that the Phytosanitary Certificate conforms to the requirements specified under Section 2.1.3 of this directive;

2) verify, for shipments destined to British Columbia, that the treatment required under Section 2.1.1 was performed, in accordance to the schedule in Appendix 1;

3) examine the shipment for freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves and plant debris;

4) take specimens of any pests found and submit them for identification.

2.3 Non-Compliance

Shipments must meet all requirements when they reach first point of arrival in Canada. 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 pests of quarantine concern. If determined feasible by the inspector, such shipments may be treated, rerouted to other destinations or diverted to approved processing facilities provided that such action does not represent an unwarranted pest risk.

The discovery of living stages of any pests of quarantine concern in any shipment may result in suspension of the import program until remedial action is taken at origin.

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

The Plant Health Division will advise the NPPO of South Africa of any pest interceptions and of non-compliance with any conditions outlined in this directive.

Notifications of non-compliance will be issued in accordance with D-01-06: Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for the Notification of Non-compliance and Emergency Action.

2.4 Other

Other Canadian import requirements, which may be required in addition to those stated above, include:

1) chemical residue standards as established under the Food and Drug Regulations,

2) licencing and inspection requirements as established under the Licencing and Arbitration Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act,

3) regulatory inspection as established under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations as established 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 office of CFIA or visit us at our web site.

3.0 Appendix

Appendix 1 - Treatment Schedule

Appendix 1

Note: Fumigation below 5°C is not acceptable.

Note: Damage may result if Chloropicrin is used with methyl bromide on nectarine varieties.

Note: Fumigation below 11°C is not acceptable.

Note: Damage may result if Chloropricrin is used with methyl bromide on nectarine varieties.