SUBJECT

This directive outlines the plant protection import requirements for packages of flower bulbs intended for personal use, purchased in The Netherlands by travellers returning to or visiting Canada.

This directive has been revised to update the review date, as well as minor administrative changes. The content of this directive has not changed.

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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
  • 1.5 Exempt Commodities
  • 1.6 Regulated Area
• 2.0 Specific Requirements
  • 2.1 Import Requirements
  • 2.2 Inspection Requirements
  • 2.3 Non-Compliance
• 3.0 Appendices
  • Appendix 1: Certificate of Inspection Sticker

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Review

This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. For further information or clarification, please contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Endorsement

Approved by:

Chief Plant Health Officer

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 (determined by Author)
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)
4. Internet

Introduction

The CFIA regulates the importation of flower bulbs to Canada because of pests that could be associated with the flower bulbs. Flower bulbs purchased as souvenirs are popular with travellers coming from The Netherlands. In order to facilitate the importation of small quantities of pre-packaged flower bulbs, a new certification procedure was developed jointly by Canada, the U.S. and the Netherlands. This system uses a common sticker, issued by the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands - Plantenziektenkundige Dienst (PD), for packages of flower bulbs that comply with the regulations of both Canada and the U.S. The requirements for the entry to Canada of these packages are specified in this directive.

Scope

This directive is intended to inform travellers from the Netherlands intending to bring flower bulbs to Canada and is also intended for use by Canada Border Services Agency and CFIA inspection staff.

This directive supersedes D-01-02 (2^nd Revision).

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossary of Terms.

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 I (as amended from time to time)

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 Centre (ISC). Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit our Fees Notice Web Site.

1.3 Regulated Pests

• Ditylenchus destructor (Potato rot nematode)
• Ditylenchus dipsaci (Stem and bulb nematode, onion bulb nematode)
• Globodera rostochiensis (Golden nematode)
• Globodera pallida (Pale cyst nematode)
• Heterodera glycines (Soybean cyst nematode)
• Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden oak death)
• Sclerotium cepivorum (White rot)
• Synchytrium endobioticum (Potato wart)

This list is not inclusive and is subject to change. Any other pest found during an inspection and included in the List of Pests Regulated by Canada, or any which are exotic and of potential economic importance to Canada, may be subject to phytosanitary measures.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Bulb packages, i.e. small retail packages of dry flower bulbs for personal use (non-commercial), excluding Allium spp.

1.5 Exempt Commodities

The following commodities are regulated under D-08-04: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting: Preventing the Entry and Spread of Regulated Plant Pests Associated with the Plants for Planting Pathway:

• Mail and courier importations of packages of flower bulbs.
• Bulk or commercial shipments of flower bulbs.
• Loose bulbs not packaged commercially.

1.6 Regulated Area

The Netherlands.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Packages of flower bulbs approved for entry from the Netherlands into Canada must meet the following conditions:

• The flower bulbs were grown in or imported to the Netherlands and were found free from regulated pests. Bulbs imported into the Netherlands that are eventually exported to Canada must meet Canadian import requirements, including soil pest declarations on the original Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the country of origin.
• For re-exports, the country of origin and the original Phytosanitary Certificate number must be filled in on the Certificate of Inspection sticker.
• Flower bulbs must be free of soil and related material (e.g. clay, silt, sand, gravel, rock, soil minerals, humus, compost, manure, muck, and plant litter) as soil, sand and related material are prohibited from the Netherlands to Canada. The flower bulbs must originate from areas free from regulated pests of Canada.
• When the flower bulbs are shipped in packing material, the packing material is of the type approved by the CFIA (as per policy directive D-08-04). Materials used for packaging and shipping the plants must be clean (i.e. not previously used).
• The botanical name (genus and species) of the flower bulbs contained in the package must be written in on the Certificate of Inspection sticker. If the contents are a mix of flower bulbs, a separate content sticker indicating the botanical name of all the varieties of packaged bulbs and the country of origin (ISO code) must also be used. The Certificate of Inspection sticker must partially cover this separate content sticker.
• The packages of flower bulbs must accompany the traveller at the time of entry as part of baggage or personal effects.

2.1.2 Required Documentation

• A Permit to Import is not required.
• The packages must be labelled with a sticker entitled "CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION" from the PD - National Plant Protection Organization of The Netherlands, which is valid for six weeks. Only original stickers will be accepted (see Appendix 1). This sticker will be regarded as a valid and official substitute for the Phytosanitary Certificate for this purpose.

The sticker states and certifies that the flower bulbs in the package:

1. came from a consignment of bulbs for export covered under an official Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the Plant Protection Service of the Netherlands;
2. were grown in the Netherlands;
3. imported in the Netherlands from: ;
4. were inspected during the growing season and at the time they were packed, and were found to be free from injurious plant pests;
5. were grown on land which, on the basis of official surveys/testing in the preceding spring, was free from quarantine pests of the U.S./Canada;
6. are free from soil and related matter;
7. when in packing material, the packing material is (of the type) approved under (the provision of Nursery Stock, Plant and Seed) Quarantine No. 37/approved by the CFIA; and
8. note to traveller: You must declare in the U.S./Canada customs form that these bulbs are in your possession.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

All packages of flower bulbs are subject to inspection upon arrival at the first port of entry in Canada to determine if regulated pests are present and to verify the documents. The packages of flower bulbs must accompany the traveller at the time of entry, in baggage or as part of personal effects. It is the traveller's responsibility to declare their possession of the flower bulbs on Canada Border Services Agency forms when entering Canada. The cost of inspection is the responsibility of the traveller.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. verify that a Certificate of Inspection, in the form of a sticker is properly attached to the package, as appropriate;
2. examine the package(s) for freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris (including small potato tubers);
3. take specimens of any pests found and submit them for identification, according to the instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual.

2.3 Non-Compliance

Packages of flower bulbs will be refused entry and disposed of if they do not meet all requirements, or are found to be contaminated with soil or infested with any regulated pests of concern. The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to disposal, removal, and other costs incurred by the CFIA. The CFIA reserves the right to audit, in the Netherlands, the packages of flower bulbs certified under this policy as well as all related paperwork.

3.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: Certificate of Inspection Sticker

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Appendix 1

Certificate of Inspection Sticker

Click on image for larger view

Certificate of Inspection Sticker

Note: On an original sticker the stamp is silver, but if photocopied it appears black, as shown.

Descriptive Characteristics

Throughout the background of most of the sticker PLANTENZIEKTENKUNDIGE DIENST is written horizontally in light green.

AND

In order to prevent tampering, small PD logo's are imprinted on the sticker, which will cause the sticker to tear apart if one tries to remove the sticker from its original placement.