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FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF WOOD PACKAGING IMPORT REQUIREMENTS

OTTAWA, July 25, 2006 - The Government of Canada has begun enforcing the final phase of new requirements designed to reduce the risk of harmful pests being introduced into Canada through untreated wood packaging materials. The introduction of these pests could have serious negative impacts on Canada's environment and economy.

Effective July 5, 2006 the Government of Canada began refusing to allow non-compliant international wood packaging entry into Canada. This is the final phase of the new wood packaging import requirements being implemented in Canada, Mexico and the United States (U.S.) in accordance with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15.

ISPM No. 15 requires that wood packaging either be heat-treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked with an internationally recognized International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark, or in lieu of this mark, the consignment may be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate specifying the treatment used.

Shipments found to contain wood packaging that do not meet Canadian import requirements will be ordered removed from Canada and are the responsibility of the importer or person in care and control of the regulated article(s). Canada’s import requirements cover solid wood (excluding manufactured wood and paper products) used in packaging, supporting, protecting, bracing or carrying a commodity. Wood packaging materials manufactured from wood of Canadian or continental-U.S. origin that have not moved internationally are exempt from the treatment and marking requirements of Canadian and U.S. wood packaging import regulations when moving between the continental U.S. and Canada.

Canada also continues to adhere to The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1992) under the United Nations Environment Program. This protocol mandates reductions and eventual phase-out of some methyl bromide use. Under the protocol, the CFIA encourages alternative methods to treating wood with methyl bromide, such as heat treatment or new alternatives as these are developed to meet the requirements of ISPM No. 15.

The Government of Canada adopted the ISPM No. 15 wood packaging requirements in March 2002. Since this time, consultations and regular communication with industry regarding the enforcement of these requirements have been on-going. As of January 2004, the Government of Canada has been issuing notices of non-compliance to importers for international wood packaging materials that have not met the requirements of the import regulations and informing them of the future enforcement of ISPM No. 15.

For more information on rules and regulations governing the Import Policy and Export Program for wood packaging, please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website (CFIA) at www.inspection.gc.ca or call 1 800 442-2342. You can also obtain further information by visiting the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

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