Subject

This directive provides the phytosanitary requirements for plants for planting originating from areas of the continental United States (U.S.) where the European brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum [Müller], syn. Helix aspersa [Müller]) is known to occur, in order to prevent the introduction and spread of this pest within Canada.

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Table of Contents

• Review
• Endorsement
• Amendment Record
• Distribution
• Introduction
• Scope
• References
• Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms
• 1.0 General Requirements
  • 1.1 Legislative Authority
  • 1.2 Fees
  • 1.3 Regulated Pest
  • 1.4 Regulated Commodities
  • 1.5 Commodities exempted from the Requirements in this Directive
  • 1.6 Regulated Areas
• 2.0 Specific Requirements
  • 2.1 Regulated continental U.S. states other than California (see Appendix 1)
  • 2.2 California
    • 2.2.1 Plants for planting free from growing media, soil and related matter
    • 2.2.2 Plants for planting with growing media, soil and related matter
• 3.0 Non-compliance
• 4.0 Appendices
  • Appendix 1: States in the continental United States regulated for European brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum, syn. Helix aspersa)

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Review

This directive will be reviewed every five years unless otherwise needed. The next review date is October 16, 2014. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Horticulture Section of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Endorsement

Approved by:

Chief Plant Health Officer

Amendment Record

Amendments of 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

Cornu aspersum (syn. Helix aspersa), the European brown garden snail (EBGS), is a quarantine pest of Canada. It has a broad host range and feeds on various fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Due to this broad host range and its feeding habits, the pest is capable of causing substantial economic damage to the Canadian horticulture industry as well as limited damage to the natural environment.

As C. aspersum can retreat into their shells and avoid desiccation, they can survive in adverse environments for extended periods of time. C. aspersum can remain active at 4.5°C and can survive in a dormant stage to -10°C, enabling the snail to survive in many parts of southern Canada.

As the various life stages of C. aspersum may be present in growing media, soil or related matter associated with plants for planting, it is difficult to adequately inspect the plants visually to ensure freedom from this pest. This directive outlines the phytosanitary import requirements intended to prevent the introduction of C. aspersum with plants both with and without soil and related matter.

Scope

This directive is intended for the use of CFIA inspection staff, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) of exporting countries, importers, shippers and brokers and presents the import requirements and inspection procedures for plants for planting that may be infested with C. aspersum.

References

D-01-06: Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for Notification of Non-Compliance and Emergency Action. CFIA, Ottawa.

D-02-02: Plant protection imports requirements for rooted, or unrooted plants, plant parts, and plants in vitro for planting. CFIA, Ottawa.

D-95-26: Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, and for items contaminated with soil and related matter. CFIA, Ottawa.

D-96-20: Canadian Growing Media Program, Prior Approval Process and Import Requirements for Plants Rooted in Approved Media. CFIA, Ottawa.

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

Definitions of 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 1 (05/13/2000)

1.2 Fees

The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported products, please contact the Import Service Centres (ISCs) at the following phone numbers: Eastern ISC 1-877-493-0468; Central ISC 1-800-835-4486; Western ISC 1-888-732-6222. Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit our Fees Notice Web Site.

1.3 Regulated Pest

European brown garden snail, Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774).

Note: The scientific name of C. aspersum has long been debated by taxonomists. The oldest name in use is Helix aspersa (Müller, 1774). Over the last few decades, the snail has also been known as Cryptomphalus aspersus (Müller, 1774), Cantareus aspersus (Müller, 1774), and most recently Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774). Cornu aspersum is currently considered the most accurate name.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

All plants intended for planting, with or without soil and growing media.

1.5 Commodities exempted from the requirements in this directive

• Cut flowers and foliage.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables intended for consumption.

1.6 Regulated Areas

Continental U.S. states listed in Appendix 1.

2.0 Specific Requirements

Note: General requirements for plants for planting are described in D-02-02: Plant protection imports requirements for rooted, or unrooted plants, plant parts, and plants in vitro for planting. Various other pest- or commodity-specific requirements may also apply. For more information, please consult the list of Plant Protection Policy Directives on CFIA's Web Site.

Note: Plants grown and exported under the Canadian Growing Media Program (for details, see D-96-20: Canadian Growing Media Program, Prior Approval Process and Import Requirements for Plants Rooted in Approved Media) must be free of all life stages of C. aspersum, but are exempt from any of the specific C. aspersum additional declarations described below.

2.1 Regulated continental U.S. states other than California (see Appendix 1)

All plants for planting must be free of all life stages of C. aspersum.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. The Phytosanitary Certificate must list the following additional declaration:

"The plants in this consignment were inspected and found to be free of European brown garden snail (Helix aspersa/Cornu aspersum)."

2.2 California

2.2.1 Plants for planting free from growing media, soil and related matter

All plants for planting must be free of growing media, soil and related matter and must be free of all life stages of C. aspersum.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. The Phytosanitary Certificate must list the following additional declaration:

"The plants in this consignment were inspected and found to be free of European brown garden snail (Helix aspersa/Cornu aspersum)."

2.2.2 Plants for planting with growing media, soil and related matter

Plants for planting destined for Canada must be produced in an approved snail-free nursery, greenhouse or holding area (contact the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] for more information).

All plants for planting must be free of all life stages of C. aspersum.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. The Phytosanitary Certificate must include the following additional declaration:

"The rooted plants in this consignment originate from an approved snail-free nursery, greenhouse or holding area, and were inspected and found to be free of European brown garden snail (Helix aspersa/Cornu aspersum)."

3.0 Non-compliance

Consignments must meet all requirements at their first point of arrival in Canada. Consignments that are found to be infested with any pests of quarantine concern will be refused entry, returned to origin, or disposed of at the importer's expense. Those infested with quarantine pests may be ordered treated prior to disposal in order to prevent pest spread. Infested shipments may be rerouted to other destinations at the expense of the importer, provided that such a course of action does not pose a phytosanitary risk.

The CFIA will advise the National Plant Protection Organization of the country of origin of any non-compliance with any of the conditions outlined in this directive as per policy directive D-01-06: Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for Notification of Non-Compliance and Emergency Action. If C. aspersum is intercepted on plants from California originating from an approved snail-free facility, the USDA will be advised and will take appropriate measures, which may include repealing the facility's approval.

4.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: States in the continental United States regulated for European brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum, syn. Helix aspersa)

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Appendix 1

States in the continental United States regulated for European brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum, syn. Helix aspersa)

• Arizona
• California
• Idaho
• Louisiana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington