EFFECTIVE DATE: April 27, 2006
(Original)
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0Y9
(Tel.: 613-225-2342; Fax: 613-773-7204)
This directive contains the phytosanitary requirements for the importation into Canada of cultivated earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris.
Earthworms pose a risk of introducing plant pests into Canada due to their potential to be contaminated with soil. Soil is recognized internationally as a major pathway for the introduction of numerous organisms injurious to plants. The introduction of soil-inhabiting pests into Canada could cause an increase in crop production costs, serious crop loss and loss of export markets for Canadian agricultural and forestry commodities. For this reason, earthworms with soil are subject to the requirements under the Plant Protection Act and Regulations.
This directive outlines the entry conditions developed to mitigate the risk of pest (soil) introduction on cultivated worms. The directive specifies the worm species and exporting countries currently approved for export to Canada, and the protocol for obtaining approval to import worm species from a new source country.
This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is April 27, 2011. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For clarification and further information, please contact the Horticulture Section.
Approved by:
Director
Plant Health Division
Amendments to this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below.
This directive is intended for the use of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspection staff and Canada Border Services Agency in order to prevent the entry of regulated pests through the importation of earthworms.
CFIA
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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)
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.
Cultivated species of earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris, Eisenia foetida, Dendrobaena spp. and others, normally used for fishing bait or organic waste disposal.
The following quarantine pests could be associated with soil. This list is subject to change and may not be inclusive.
Columbia root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne chitwoodi Golden et al.
Dwarf Bunt, Tilletia controversa (Kuhn)
Golden nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (Woll);
Pale cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, (Stone) Behrens;
Potato wart, Synchytrium endobioticum (Schlib). Perc;
Onion white rot, Sclerotium cepivorum (Berk);
All countries.
Appendix 1 lists the worm species which are admissible into Canada if originating from an approved exporting country. Species originating from countries not yet approved for entry into Canada must undergo an approval process involving a pest risk assessment. Appendix 2 outlines the steps involved in the approval process.
No government issued certificate is required.
All shipments are subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to ensure compliance with these requirements and to determine if pests are present.
CFIA inspectors should:
Shipments which do not meet the requirements, or are found to be infested with quarantine pests may be refused entry, returned to origin, or disposed of at the importer's expense. The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to treatment, disposal or removal, including costs incurred by CFIA to monitor the action taken.
Other legislative requirements may apply. Some worm species may be subject to the requirements under Canadian Environment Protection Act. Importers should contact:
Environment Canada
New Substances Division
14th Floor, PVM
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, Quebec
J8Y 3Z5
Phone: 1-800-567-1999 / 819-953-7156
Fax: 819-952-7155
Appendix 1 - Approved Earthworm Species and Exporting Countries
Appendix 2 - The Steps in the Approval Process for Regulated Commodities From New Sources
Approved Earthworm Species and Exporting Countries
Export Country | Species approved for Entry into Canada |
---|---|
Netherlands | Lumbricus terrestris |
United States (continental) | Species known to occur in Canada |
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Plant Health Division
59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9, CANADA
TEL: (613) 225-2342 / FAX:(613) 228-6605
Attn: Permit Office
The importer includes a brief description of the proposed importation with the application, including the commodity proposed for import, country of origin, end use of product (eg fishing bait, organic waste disposal). An importer must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, who is authorized to live in Canada for six months or more, or, in the case of a corporation with a place of business in Canada, is an agent or officer of the corporation and resides in Canada.
1. The certifying agency must identify the species in the shipment.