Government of Canada
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D-94-25: Plant protection import requirements for ginseng (Panax spp.)

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 14, 2010
(2nd Revision)

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0Y9
(Tel.: 613-225-2342; Fax: 613-773-7204)

Subject

This directive describes the phytosanitary import requirements for ginseng seed, roots and plants from all countries, for propagation or consumption.

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


Table of Contents


Review

This directive will be reviewed every two years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is January 14, 2012. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. 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 importation of ginseng (Panax spp.) is regulated under the Plant Protection Act to prevent the introduction of ginseng anthracnose (Colletotrichum panacicola), a disease which causes serious damage in Asia. The disease is not known to occur in Canada or the United States (U.S.) A pest risk assessment indicates ginseng anthracnose is transmitted by propagative material, including seed.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by Canadian importers wishing to import ginseng (Panax spp.) seeds, roots and plants into Canada. This directive is also intended for the use of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspection staff, the Canada Border Services Agency and the national plant protection organizations of exporting countries in order to determine what requirements must be met for ginseng to enter Canada.

This directive supercedes D-94-25 (1st Revision) and all previous documents on this subject, including memoranda dated 08/11/87, 10/15/87, 11/16/87 and Permit Letter 6E - 14/04/88 "Notice To Importer - Plant Protection Requirements: Importation of Ginseng Seeds."

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

Colletotrichum panacicola Nakata & Takimoto (ginseng anthracnose).

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Ginseng (Panax spp.), seeds, roots, plants including but not limited to North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Red or Korean ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng Wallich (syns. P. ginseng C.A. Mey., P. schinseng Nees)).

1.5 Commodities Exempt

Dried ginseng root for consumption or processing, ground ginseng, or any other manufactured product such as ginseng tea, capsules, tablets, or grated root.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

Appendix 1 provides details on requirements for the importation of ginseng seed, plants, and roots. Seed, roots, and plants must be free from Colletotrichum panacicola. Shipments from off-continent must be free from soil and similar material. Soil is permitted from most parts of continental U.S. provided certain requirements are met. For further information about these requirements, contact your local CFIA office.

2.2 Non-Compliance

If a ginseng shipment is not accompanied by appropriate documentation or does not meet other requirements, (Appendix 1 & 2), the shipment will be refused entry. Shipments infested with pests of quarantine concern will be safeguarded, ordered treated where appropriate, or either disposed of in a safe manner or ordered removed from Canada. The importer is responsible for costs relating to treatment or disposal.

2.3 Other

North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Individuals wishing to import or export North American ginseng must obtain a CITES permit. For further information please contact:

CITES
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-800-668-6767 or 819-997-1840
Facsimile: 819-953-6283

3.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: Ginseng Import Requirements

Appendix 2: Phytosanitary Certificate Additional Declarations


Appendix 1

Ginseng Import Requirements

Commodity Form Country of
Origin
COMMODITY USE
Permit to Import (For Propaga- tion) Phyto-
sanitary Certificate
(For Propaga- tion)
Additional
Declarations
and Require-
ments (For Propaga-
tion)
Permit to Import
(For Consump-
tion and Processing)
Phyto- sanitary Certificate
(For Consump-
tion and Processing)
Additional Declarations
and Require-
ments
(For Consump-
tion and Proces-
sing)
Seeds U.S. (Continental)1 Not Required Not Required Seeds must be free of soil. Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
Seeds U.S. (Off-Continent)2 and All Other Countries Required Required An additional declaration for Colletotrichum panacicola must be on the Phytosanitary Certificate (See Appendix 2).

Seeds must be free of soil and plant debris including stems, leaves and other above-ground parts.

Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
Plants and Plant Parts (Excluding seeds and roots) U.S. (Continental) Not Required Required Plants, and plant parts must meet any requirements in regard to soil pests. Contact local regional office for details. Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
Plants and Plant Parts (Excluding seeds and roots) U.S. (Off-Continent) and All Other Countries Required Required Additional declarations for soil pests and Colletotrichum panacicola declaration must appear on the Phytosanitary Certificate (See Appendix 2).

Plants and plant parts must be free of soil.

Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
Roots U.S. (Continental) except areas of New York State regulated for Golden Nematode Not Required Required Roots must be free of soil and plant debris, and transported in clean containers or meet soil requirements for the state in which the roots were grown. Contact your local regional office for details on soil requirements. Not Required Not Required Must be free of soil and plant debris and transported in new clean containers or meet soil requirements
Roots U.S. (Off-Continent) and All Other Countries Required Required An additional declaration for Colletotrichum panacicola must be on the Phytosanitary Certificate (See Appendix 2).

Roots must be free of soil and plant debris and transported in new clean containers.

Required Not Required Roots must be free of soil and plant debris and transported in new clean containers.
Roots U.S. Areas of New York State regulated for Golden Nematode Not Required Required Roots must be free of soil and plant debris and transported in new clean containers or meet soil requirements for New York State Required Not Required Roots must be free of soil and plant debris and transported in new clean containers.



1 Continental U.S. includes all the states contained within North American continent.
2 Off-Continent U.S. includes the state of Hawaii and territories of the U.S. (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands of the United States).


Appendix 2

Phytosanitary Certificate Additional Declarations

1. Declaration for Colletotrichum panacicola:

"The material in this consignment is free of Colletotrichum panacicola"

2. Soil Pest Declaration From Off-continent U.S. and all other Countries

One of the following statements is required

i) "The plant material included in this shipment was grown in soil in which the Potato Wart Disease, Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc. is known not to occur and in which, based on official soil surveys or other precautionary practices, the Potato Cyst Nematodes, Globodera rostochiensis Woll. and Globodera pallida Stone, and the Soybean Cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) (Ichinoke) are known not to occur."

or

ii) "Synchytrium endobioticum (potato wart disease) Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida (potato cyst nematode) and Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode) are known not to occur in the country of origin of the plant material."