D- 94-28: Blueberry Plants from Australia

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 21, 2008
(2^nd Revision)

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

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Subject

This directive contains the phytosanitary requirements for the importation of blueberry (vaccinium spp.) plants from Australia.

This directive has been revised to clarify the import requirements for blueberry plants from Australia.

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Table of Contents

• Review
• Endorsement
• Amendment Record
• Distribution
• Introduction
• Scope
• Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms
• 1.0 General Requirements
  • 1.1 Legislative Authority
  • 1.2 Fees
• 2.0 Policy

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Review

This directive will be reviewed every five years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is July 21, 2013. 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 (via Regions)
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)
4. Internet

Introduction

In response to an industry request to import blueberry plants from Australia, a Pest Risk Analysis concluded that importation can be permitted with minimal pest risk.

A procedure was then developed and agreed to between the CFIA and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), to enable the importation of blueberry plants from Australia.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by those wishing to import blueberry (vaccinium spp.) plants from Australia into Canada. This directive is also intended for the use of the CFIA inspection staff, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the National Plant Protection Organization of Australia in order to determine what the requirements are for this fruit to enter Canada.

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

Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c. 22
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.

2.0 Policy

A Permit to Import, issued by the CFIA, is required. AQIS must issue a Phytosanitary Certificate attesting to freedom from quarantine and regulated non-quarantine pests. The Phytosanitary Certificate must include the following additional declarations:

"Material was inspected and found free of painted apple moth (Teia = Orgyia Anartoides)."

AND

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

AQIS must ensure that all consignments are free from soil, sand and related debris.

Shipments will be subject to inspection on arrival and samples may be taken for testing for the presence of plant pests. Infested shipments may be returned to origin, required to be treated or destroyed at the importer's expense.

Additional information may be obtained from the local CFIA office.