AMENDMENT TO FOREIGN PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE OBLIGATIONS

Ottawa, March 27, 2007 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has amended the Plant Protection Regulations of the Plant Protection Act. Importers will no longer need to send hard copies of Phytosanitary Certificates if electronic versions are sent directly to the CFIA from a foreign phytosanitary authority.

This amendment streamlines administrative procedures; facilitates the tracking of certificates, making the transmission of importation documents more efficient and the clearance of goods at Canadian ports of entry quicker; and reduces the chance for fraud.

This measure enhances the existing procedures, but importers still have the option to provide hard copy certificates.

This amendment is reflective of the CFIA's commitment to streamline regulatory activities between trading partners and is consistent with Canada's efforts to develop an electronic phytosanitary certification system in cooperation with Mexico and the United States.

Phytosanitary Certificates are official documents issued by a plant protection organization of an exporting country to the plant protection organization of an importing country. They certify that the plants or plant products covered by the certificate have been inspected according to appropriate procedures and that they conform to the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing country.

For more information about this amendment, please visit the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca or call 1-800-442-2342.

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For more information, please contact:

CFIA Media Relations:
Ottawa (613) 228-6682