CFIA accepting shipments of fresh fruits from California when certified free from European grapevine moth

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will accept shipments of fresh fruits (except grapes and olives) from areas of California regulated for European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) when they are certified free of the insect. This requirement will help prevent this insect from entering Canada.

To be allowed into Canada, fruits must originate from an orchard, field or packing facility that has a compliance agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Phytosanitary certificates issued by the USDA must declare that "The consignment was inspected and found free from Lobesia botrana." At present, six counties in California contain regulated areas: Napa, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.

Fresh fruits regulated for European grapevine moth are:

• Olive (Olea spp.)
• Grape (Vitis spp.)
• Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis)
• Persimmon (Diospyros kaki)
• Stone fruit, including peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, cherry (Prunus spp.)
• Pomegranate (Punica granatu)
• Currant and gooseberry (Ribes spp.)
• Raspberries, blackberries, dewberries (Rubus spp.)

Shipments of grapes and olives from these regulated areas are currently not accepted into Canada. There is no change to current import requirements for other fruits produced or packed outside of the regulated areas.

These new import requirements must be applied in addition to any other existing import requirements for fruits from California. For more information on these requirements, please refer to policy directives D-07-03 and D-95-08.

Originally issued June 22, 2010 (Notice to Industry)