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D-16-02: Administration of the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program

Effective date: December 18, 2023
(First revision version 2)

This directive provides interpretation and administrative guidance for the delivery of the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP), a bilateral export certification program for greenhouse-grown plants shipped between Canada and the continental United States.

The Technical requirements (see definition below) and this directive must be used together.

The following change was made in version 2:

The following change was made in version 1B:

The following change was made in version 1A:

The following changes were made as part of the first revision (October 1, 2020):

This document supersedes all previous versions of directive D-16-02.

On this page

1.0 Legislative authority

Plant Protection Act (S.C. 1990, c. 22)
Plant Protection Regulations (SOR/95-212)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act (S.C. 1997, c.6)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I (as amended from time to time)

2.0 Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms

Definitions of terms used in this document are found in the:

"GCP" means the United States - Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program.

"Technical requirements" refers to the document titled, Technical requirements: United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP).

For the purpose of this directive, in the event of differences in the definition of individual terms, the definition in the technical requirements glossary will prevail.

The nomenclature convention for references to the technical requirements provided in this document is "GCP Part x, Section y".

3.0 Introduction

The GCP is a bilateral arrangement between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that details the requirements for facilities to be authorized to ship greenhouse-grown plants between the continental United States and Canada under an export certification label in lieu of a phytosanitary certificate.

Both Canada and the United States require phytosanitary certification that consignments of plants moving between the 2 countries are free from regulated pests. Plants produced and shipped under the GCP are free from regulated pests and meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States.

The GCP is a systems approach that is audited by the CFIA. Integrated pest risk management measures are used for the production and certification of plants that move in trade between Canada and the continental United States.

In Canada, the GCP replaced the Canadian Greenhouse Certification Program (CGCP) which was established in 1996.

The technical requirements and this directive must be used together. With the exception of high level statements to link the technical requirements with the administrative requirements, the details of the technical requirements are not repeated in this directive.

4.0 Scope

4.1 Regulated pests

The GCP is designed to prevent the spread of all pests regulated by APHIS and the CFIA.

For the purpose of the GCP, pests that are new to Canada and/or the continental United States are considered to be regulated until their regulatory status is determined. A pest is considered to be new when it is present in an area where it has not previously been known to exist.

4.2 Regulated articles

All plants grown at an Authorized Facility are subject to the conditions of the technical requirements, whether they are intended for shipment under the GCP or not. It is not a requirement of the GCP that every plant in production be eligible to become a GCP Certified Plant.

4.3 Regulated areas

Plants for planting may be entered into the GCP from any country of the world, provided that the plants are enterable into both Canada and the United States.

5.0 General requirements

Plants that can meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States are eligible to be produced in and distributed under the GCP.

In Canada, facilities that sign a compliance agreement with the CFIA and operate their facilities in accordance with the GCP are authorized to ship greenhouse-grown plants to the United States under an export certification label in lieu of a CFIA-issued phytosanitary certificate. Certified Plants shipped under an interfacility stamp to other GCP facilities in Canada maintain their Certified status.

5.1 Clarification of specific elements of the GCP

A key objective of the GCP is consistent, equivalent application of the technical requirements at authorized facilities in Canada and the continental United States. To this end, APHIS and the CFIA co-developed the training units that were used to inform the inspector training developed by the CFIA, and the GCP Industry Training Program developed by Flowers Canada Growers.

The structure of the technical requirements takes into account that the CFIA and APHIS each have their own unique plant health regulations and administrative processes. The following subsections provide guidance for the administration of the GCP in Canada.

5.1.1 Authorized facilities

The list of GCP authorized facilities in Canada is found in Appendix 2.

5.1.1.1 Facilities with multiple distinct physical locations

With respect to GCP Part IV, Section 1.0: Facility authorization, a single authorized facility may include multiple distinct physical locations as long as certain conditions are met.

When locations are not all within the service area of a single CFIA office, the CFIA will determine if the multiple locations may be considered to be a single authorized facility.

5.1.1.2 Seasonal and/or temporary off-site production

When facilities rent, lease or otherwise arrange for the use of an off-site production area that is not in the same physical location as the authorized facility and wish to include the off-site location in the GCP, the location and description of the off-site production area and the description of the management of the off-site facility must be included in the pest management plan. An off-site facility that is not included in the facility's pest management plan is not considered to be part of the authorized facility.

5.1.1.3 Shared premises

If an authorized facility is using a production area that is joined, shared, immediately adjacent to or otherwise not physically separated and separately managed from a production area used by another GCP authorized facility, and if 1 of the authorized facilities is suspended from the GCP, then all authorized facilities using the shared premises are suspended until the CFIA can complete an investigation and issues related to the suspension are addressed.

5.1.1.4 Not-authorized areas of a facility

If the greenhouse structure includes areas that are not considered to be part of the authorized facility, buffers may be utilized within the structure per the requirements of GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.3.

5.1.2 Official phytosanitary inspection

GCP Part II, Section 4.1.1 and Part IV, Section 2.1.3 provide options for facilities to obtain an official inspection.

The CFIA record of inspection will indicate all the following elements:

The record of official phytosanitary inspection provided by the CFIA may be either a:

5.1.3 Authorized facility, plant broker

With respect to GCP Part I, Section 4.0, Glossary: authorized facility (plant broker), "producing plants" includes growing, holding in cold storage or otherwise maintaining plants. Facilities that for any reason hold plants longer than required to assemble a consignment must be authorized as an authorized facility (place of production).

With respect to GCP Part IV, Section 2.3, Compliance agreement elements for authorized facility: plant broker, "transform" includes the incorporation of associated articles, addition of growing media and any other practice that affects the phytosanitary risk of the exported plant. Facilities that "transform" plants must be authorized as a place of production.

5.1.4 Enterable

With respect to the use of the term "enterable" in the technical requirements, plants may be considered eligible for the GCP provided that they can meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States. Plants from offshore, for example, plants that do not have a place of origin of Canada or the continental United States, must have phytosanitary documentation indicating that entry requirements for both countries are met.

GCP facilities must ensure that phytosanitary certificates for offshore plants include the additional declarations required by both APHIS and the CFIA.

5.1.4.1 Plant taxa that are eligible only if they are from a United States place of origin

The USDA Plants for Planting Manual and the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database indicate that some plant taxa are prohibited entry when their place of origin is Canada. The specific restrictions may include plants that are NAPPRA (not authorized pending pest risk analysis), plants subject to United States Federal Import Orders, and plants on the Prohibited Articles List.

These taxa may only be considered to be eligible plants when the following elements are met:

5.1.5 Vegetable plants

According to GCP Part II, Section 3.0, Eligible plants: greenhouse-grown vegetable plants that include roots (for example "living lettuce") and require a phytosanitary certificate for export to the United States are eligible for the GCP.

5.1.6 CNCP interfacility stamp

For the purpose of GCP Part II, Section 4.1.1, Exceptions to the growth and monitoring period: a document bearing a Canadian Nursery Certification Program (CNCP) interfacility stamp is considered by Canada and the United States to be equivalent to a phytosanitary certificate issued for greenhouse-grown plants.

6.0 Specific requirements

6.1 Prohibitions

Plants may not be shipped under a GCP export certification label or interfacility stamp unless the plants meet all requirements of the GCP and this directive.

6.2 Import requirements

Plants may be imported from the continental United States under a GCP export certification label in lieu of a USDA-issued phytosanitary certificate.

An example of the USDA GCP export certification label is found in Appendix 4.

6.3 Domestic requirements

CFIA inspectors may use the GCP as a basis for determining that the requirements of Plant Protection Regulations sections 51 and 52 are met if the authorized facility has a suitable pest module(s) in place and its GCP authorization is not suspended.

6.4 Export requirements

Eligible plants meeting the conditions of the GCP at facilities authorized by the CFIA may be exported to the United States using a GCP export certification label in lieu of a CFIA issued phytosanitary certificate.

6.5 Audit requirements

The CFIA framework for organizing audit inspections is the Standard Inspection Procedure (SIP). Appendix 6 restates the GCP audit checklists (GCP Part V, Appendices 4 and 5) as they are organized within the SIP preventive control plan structure.

7.0 Administrative requirements

7.1 Authorization

Facilities that wish to participate in GCP must submit an application to their local CFIA office.

Facilities are authorized to ship certified plants under an export certification label in lieu of a phytosanitary certificate when they:

An overview of the authorization process is found in Appendix 1.

7.2 Compliance agreement

The GCP compliance agreement does not expire; however, there are circumstances under which a new GCP compliance agreement is required. These situations include but are not limited to:

Prior to entering into a new GCP compliance agreement, any prior GCP compliance agreements must be cancelled.

7.3 Authorization numbers, export certification labels and interfacility stamps

A unique authorization number will be issued to a facility when the CFIA acknowledges receipt of the application to participate in the GCP.

Administrative requirements for export certification labels and interfacility stamps are found in Appendix 3.

Specifications and examples of export certification labels and interfacility stamps are found in Appendix 4.

7.4 Forms

The forms used for the administration of the GCP are found in Appendix 5.

Facilities that do not have access to the Internet may request paper copies of the forms from their local CFIA office.

Facilities must verify with their local CFIA office how to submit their completed GCP administrative forms.

GCP forms may be transmitted electronically.

The completed form CFIA/ACIA 5793: Compliance Agreement for Authorized Facility, United States-Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP) requires a signature for both the authorized facility representative and CFIA.

All other GCP forms, when transmitted electronically, do not require a signature.

7.5 Records

To facilitate the ongoing review and maintenance of the GCP and regular communication between APHIS and CFIA, CFIA will maintain ongoing, cumulative summaries of GCP records for each authorized facility as specified in GCP Part III, Section 6.

8.0 Non-compliance

The GCP is a voluntary export certification option and facilities not meeting the requirements of their compliance agreement are subject to the corrective action, suspension and cancellation provisions of the GCP.

Some instances of non-compliance with the GCP compliance agreement may also be contraventions of the Plant Protection Act (PPA) or the Plant Protection Regulations (PPR). Examples of GCP non-compliance that are also contraventions of the PPA and PPR include:

9.0 References

9.1 Fees

The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees, please contact your local CFIA office or visit the CFIA's Fees Notice website.

9.2 Supporting documents

D-08-04: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting: Preventing the Entry and Spread of Regulated Plant Pests Associated with the Plants for Planting Pathway. CFIA, Ottawa.

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

D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action. CFIA, Ottawa.

CFIA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)

USDA Plants for Planting Manual - PDF (9,455 b)

USDA-APHIS Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR)

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, TITLE 7—Agriculture, Subtitle B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Chapter III—Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Part 319, Foreign Quarantine Notices, Subpart 319.37 Plants for Planting and Part 360 Noxious Weed Regulations

ISPM 5. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (as amended by CPM-10). 2015, FAO

ISPM 12. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. Phytosanitary certificates (as revised by CPM-9, 2014). 2016. FAO

ISPM 14. The Use of Integrated Measures in a Systems Approach for Pest Risk Management. 2002, FAO

ISPM 36. Integrated Measures for Plants For Planting. 2012, FAO

Risk and Risk Mitigation Associated with the Importation of Propagative Plant Material into NAPPO Member Countries. A Concept Paper Prepared by the NAPPO Plants for Planting Panel. August 3, 2004 (Appendix to RSPM 24)

RSPM 5. NAPPO Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. 2012, NAPPO

RSPM 24. Integrated Pest Risk Management Measures for the Importation of Plants for Planting into NAPPO Member Countries. 2005, NAPPO

Technical Requirements, United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program

10.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: GCP authorization process

The GCP authorization process starts when a facility submits their application to participate in the GCP and is complete when the facility and the CFIA sign the compliance agreement. In between, there are a number of steps that both the facility and the CFIA must complete and the process is not always linear.

The following sections describe the authorization elements of the GCP. The GCP is designed to accommodate the wide range of business and production practices found in the greenhouse plant supply chain, ranging from importers, propagators and growers to shippers and brokers. Each facility needs to focus on the elements that apply to it. Facilities with more complex production and pest management practices may have more factors to consider.

Facilities are encouraged to complete the process steps as soon as possible. For example, the list of plants in production (Section 1.2) may be prepared in advance and may be submitted to the CFIA at the same time as the application.

GCP training and outreach for facilities

The GCP Industry Training Program for facilities participating in the GCP was created by Flowers Canada Growers in collaboration with QuébecVert.

The GCP Industry Training Program is available to all interested facilities.

Flowers Canada Growers is an independent third party and may establish fees for their services.

Persons interested in the GCP Industry Training Program should consult the Flowers Canada Growers GCP webpage or contact gcp@fco.ca.

1.0 Authorization for places of production

Note: all forms referenced in this section can be found in Appendix 5 of this directive, and also accessed through the CFIA Forms Catalogue.

1.1 Application

The completed application form must be submitted to the local CFIA office. Instructions are on the form.

1.2 List of plants in production

All place of production facilities must prepare and submit the list of plants in production. The list must meet the requirements of GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.2. The list may be submitted as a hard copy or as an electronic file that can be read by CFIA.

The CFIA will verify the list of plants in production and will inform the facility which regulated pests are present in the area and indicate the pests for which a pest module must be included in the pest management plan.

1.3 Pest modules

Pest module details are recorded in the pest management template in the section titled "GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.1 Pest modules'. If the details of the pest module are in a separate document, the location of the separate document must be noted.

1.4 Production modules

There are 4 circumstances in which a production module may be required:

1.4.1 Exemption for growth and monitoring period of less than 28 days

GCP Part II, Section 4.1.1 lists the conditions when plants are excepted from the minimum 28 day growth and monitoring period.

For all other circumstances, when a facility wishes to produce certified plants in less than 28 days, an exemption is required (GCP Part II, Section 4.2.1). If the exemption is granted, the conditions of the exemption make up the production module. The link to the application for exemption is found in Appendix 5. The application is submitted to the local CFIA office and is forwarded to a CFIA-APHIS joint administration group for evaluation. The pest management plan must be submitted with the exemption request. The application for exemption should be submitted as soon as it is prepared as the response from the joint administration group is required before plants with a growth and monitoring period of less than 28 days may be included in the pest management plan.

1.4.2 Exemption for outdoor growth

When a facility wishes to produce certified plants outside the greenhouse structure for part of their production process, an exemption is required (GCP Part II, Section 4.2.2). If the exemption is granted, the conditions of the exemption make up the production module. The link to the application for exemption is found in Appendix 5. The application is submitted to the local CFIA office and it is forwarded to a CFIA-APHIS joint administration group for evaluation. The pest management plan must be submitted with the exemption request. The application for exemption should be submitted as soon as it is prepared as the response from the joint administration group is required before plants with a period of outdoor growth may be included in the pest management plan.

1.4.3 Incorporation of associated articles

When a facility produces certified plants that incorporate associated articles (for example, bamboo stakes) the details of how the facility obtains and maintains associated articles that can meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both APHIS and the CFIA are recorded in the pest management plan under the heading "GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules". Facilities should consult their local CFIA office about the current phytosanitary requirements for the associated article before the production module is designed.

1.4.4 Production module required by the CFIA

The CFIA may require a facility to incorporate a production module to detail specific risk mitigation measures. This production module could address risks identified by the inspector and not addressed elsewhere, or could address specific risk associated with a plant taxa, pest or country of origin. The CFIA inspector will determine whether this production module is necessary. If this module is required, it will be need to be added to the pest management plan under the heading "GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules".

1.5 Pest management plan

All places of production are required to use the pest management plan template found in Appendix 5.

The completed pest management plan is sent to the local CFIA office for review and acceptance. Once the pest management plan is accepted by the CFIA, the authorization audit is scheduled.

1.6 Authorization audit

Once the CFIA has received and accepted a facility's application for authorization, the list of plants in production and the pest management plan, an authorization audit will be scheduled to verify that all elements of the compliance agreement and pest management plan have been implemented at the facility. Deficiencies identified during the authorization audit must be addressed before a facility may enter into a GCP compliance agreement with the CFIA.

1.7 Compliance agreement

Following a successful authorization audit, the compliance agreement is prepared for signature. The compliance agreement will be signed by the legally authorized representative of the facility and the CFIA. Once the compliance agreement is signed, the facility is considered to be authorized and may operate under the conditions of the GCP technical requirements and D-16-02.

Newly authorized facilities may not ship under the GCP until they have their GCP export certification labels and/or interfacility stamps and their facility information is published on the list of GCP authorized facilities in Canada.

2.0 Authorization for plant brokers

2.1 Application

The completed application form must be submitted to the local CFIA office. Instructions are on the application form.

2.2 Authorization audit

Once the CFIA has reviewed and accepted a facility's application for authorization, an authorization audit will be scheduled to verify that all elements of the compliance agreement have been implemented at the facility. Deficiencies identified during the authorization audit must be addressed before a facility may enter into a GCP compliance agreement with the CFIA.

2.3 Compliance agreement

Following a successful authorization audit, the compliance agreement is prepared for signature. The compliance agreement will be signed by the legally authorized representative of the facility and the CFIA. Once the compliance agreement is signed, the facility is considered to be authorized and may operate under the conditions of the GCP technical requirements and D-16-02.

Newly authorized facilities may not ship under the GCP until they have their GCP export certification labels and/or interfacility stamps and their facility information is published on the list of GCP authorized facilities in Canada.

Appendix 2: GCP authorized facilities in Canada

Authorization number Authorized facility name City/Town Province
CAN-GCP-0041 Jolly Farmer Products Inc. Northampton NB
CAN-GCP-0087 K and K Greenhouses Branchton ON
CAN-GCP-0178 Foliera Inc. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0001 Westwood Greenhouses Ltd. New Hamburg ON
CAN-GCP-0002 Farm to Canada Mississauga ON
CAN-GCP-0003 Rol-land Farms and Greenhouses Inc. Blenheim ON
CAN-GCP-0004 Keepsake Plants Ltd. Leamington ON
CAN-GCP-0005 Oasis Greenhouses Limited Chatham ON
CAN-GCP-0006 Mucci Farms Kingsville ON
CAN-GCP-0007 Lakeview Greenhouses and Farm Ltd. Blenheim ON
CAN-GCP-0008 Albuna Plant Farm Cottam ON
CAN-GCP-0009 Trillium Floral St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0010 Jeffery's Greenhouses Inc. St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0011 Northland Floral Inc. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0012 One Floral/ Seacliff Farms Leamington ON
CAN-GCP-0013 Scharringa Greenhouses Ltd. Waterdown ON
CAN-GCP-0014 Creekside Greenhouses Ltd. Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0015 Niagara Quality Flowers Ltd. Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0016 Maple Grove Floral Inc. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0019 R. deVries Greenhouses Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0020 Wierenga Greenhouses Limited Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0021 Les Serres Thierry Othon Inc. Mirabel QC
CAN-GCP-0022 Regal Greenhouses Inc. Virgil ON
CAN-GCP-0023 P. Ravensbergen & Sons Ltd. Smithville ON
CAN-GCP-0024 Hillside Growers Inc. Winona ON
CAN-GCP-0025 Schenck Farms & Greenhouses St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0028 Pioneer Flower Farms Limited St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0029 Kamps Greenhouses Inc. Vineland Station ON
CAN-GCP-0030 Waldan Gardens Wainfleet ON
CAN-GCP-0031 Bloom Depot Inc. Hamilton ON
CAN-GCP-0033 Debono Greenhouses Ltd. Waterford ON
CAN-GCP-0034 Aldershot Greenhouses Ltd. Burlington ON
CAN-GCP-0035 Westbrook Greenhouses Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0036 Harster Greenhouses Inc. Hamilton ON
CAN-GCP-0037 Freeman Herbs Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0038 Andrew Hendriks and Sons Greenhouses Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0039 Spring Valley Gardens St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0040 Ontario Plants Propagation Limited St. Thomas ON
CAN-GCP-0042 Whole Leaf Ltd. Coaldale AB
CAN-GCP-0044 Trillium Hill Greenhouses Grimsby ON
CAN-GCP-0045 Majestic Agriculture Inc. Campbellville ON
CAN-GCP-0046 Richters Herbs Goodwood ON
CAN-GCP-0047 Darvonda Nurseries Ltd. Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0048 Meadowlands Horticultural Inc. Burnaby BC
CAN-GCP-0049 Beamsville Garden Corp. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0050 Oriental Orchids Ltd. Burnaby BC
CAN-GCP-0052 Kuyvenhoven Greenhouses Inc. Brampton ON
CAN-GCP-0053 Bradford Greenhouses Ltd. Bradford ON
CAN-GCP-0054 Fieldview Greenhouses Ltd. Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0056 Burnaby Lake Greenhouses Ltd. Surrey BC
CAN-GCP-0057 Vanderwees Greenhouses Inc. Thunder Bay ON
CAN-GCP-0058 Cosmic Plants Inc. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0059 Great Lakes Floral St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0061 George Sant & Sons Ltd. Kleinberg ON
CAN-GCP-0062 Distribution Frankarl Inc. Saint-Eustache QC
CAN-GCP-0063 Production Serres Yargeau inc. Sherbrooke QC
CAN-GCP-0064 Homestead Growers Niagara Inc. Vineland ON
CAN-GCP-0065 Mainland Floral Distributors Ltd. (B) Aldergrove BC
CAN-GCP-0066 Adesso Services Ltd. Aldergrove BC
CAN-GCP-0068 Nordic Nurseries Ltd. Abbotsford BC
CAN-GCP-0069 Vaandrager Nurseries Abbotsford BC
CAN-GCP-0070 Friends Farm Ltd. Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0071 Headlands Garden Plants Ltd. Chilliwack BC
CAN-GCP-0073 Van Saane Greenhouses Chilliwack BC
CAN-GCP-0072 Devan Greenhouses Ltd. Abbotsford BC
CAN-GCP-0074 Berry's Tropicals Dewdney BC
CAN-GCP-0075 C. Farms Dewdney BC
CAN-GCP-0077 Clearview Horticulture Limited Aldergrove BC
CAN-GCP-0078 EVL Nursery Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0079 Westcan Greenhouses Ltd. Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0081 Kralt Greenhouses Ltd. Millgrove ON
CAN-GCP-0080 Genesis Plant Propagation Ltd. Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0083 The Floral Express Inc. Woodstock ON
CAN-GCP-0088 Linwell Gardens Ltd. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0089 Hunter Road Greenhouses Inc. Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0091 Colonial Florists Ltd. St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0093 Zomer's Greenhouses Inc. Milton ON
CAN-GCP-0094 Les Serres Sylvain Cléroux Québec Inc. Laval/Mirabel QC
CAN-GCP-0095 Taisuco Canada Agriculture Corporation Abbotsford BC
CAN-GCP-0097 Qualitree Propagators Inc. Rosedale BC
CAN-GCP-0098 Rainbow Greenhouses Inc. Chilliwack BC
CAN-GCP-0099 Helianthus Holdings Inc. (DBA HortyGirl Living Decor) Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0101 Ed Sobkowich Greenhouses Ltd. Grimsby ON
CAN-GCP-0102 Foxwood Greenhouses Ltd. Freelton ON
CAN-GCP-0103 Vos Floral Ltd. Freelton ON
CAN-GCP-0104 Koop Flowers Inc. Delhi ON
CAN-GCP-0105 Tropical Expressions Hamilton ON
CAN-GCP-0107 De Goey's Nursery and Flowers Wheatley ON
CAN-GCP-0108 G. Moody Greenhouse Wheatley ON
CAN-GCP-0109 van Zanten Floral Inc. Vineland ON
CAN-GCP-0110 Orchid Greens Toronto ON
CAN-GCP-0111 Xborder Trucking Wainfleet ON
CAN-GCP-0112 Westland Greenhouse GB Inc. Grand Bend ON
CAN-GCP-0113 Roelands Plant Farms Inc. Lambton Shores ON
CAN-GCP-0114 Flora Pack Inc. St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0115 Boekestyn Greenhouses Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0116 Colasanti Farms Ltd. Kingsville ON
CAN-GCP-0118 Rainbow Greenhouses Alberta Inc. Iron Springs AB
CAN-GCP-0120 Hillside Greenhouses Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0121 Dutch Flower House Inc. Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0122 Sunrise Greenhouses Ltd. Vineland Station ON
CAN-GCP-0123 Vermeer Greenhouses (Welland) Inc. Welland ON
CAN-GCP-0124 Gregory Greenhouses Inc. St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0125 Van Hoffen Farms (1999) Ltd. / Maple Crest Farms Grassie ON
CAN-GCP-0126 Janus Gardens Inc. Aldergrove BC
CAN-GCP-0127 Gregory Floral Inc. St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0128 Scania Greenhouses Ltd. Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0129 J.M. Lacroix et fils Inc. Laval QC
CAN-GCP-0130 Willy's Greenhouse Ltd. Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0133 Fraser Valley Nursery Aldergrove BC
CAN-GCP-0134 Morgan Creek Tropicals Ltd. Surrey BC
CAN-GCP-0135 Noël Wilson Inc. Saint-Rémi QC
CAN-GCP-0136 Willy Haeck et Fils Inc. Saint-Rémi QC
CAN-GCP-0137 Proplant Propagation Services Ltd. Jarvis ON
CAN-GCP-0138 La Ferme Grover Inc. Laval QC
CAN-GCP-0139 Meyers Fruit Farm Limited Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0140 Meyers Flowers Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0141 Horbach's Farms and Greenhouse Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0142 UFG Cooperative Association Burnaby BC
CAN-GCP-0143 Les Serres Frank Zyromski Inc. Rivière-Rouge QC
CAN-GCP-0144 West Coast Floral Growers and Distributors Ltd. Surrey BC
CAN-GCP-0146 Bevo Farms Ltd. Langley BC
CAN-GCP-0147 Fernlea Flowers Ltd. Delhi ON
CAN-GCP-0148 Sedum Master Inc. Princeton ON
CAN-GCP-0149 Orchard Park Growers St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0150 Les Serres Oli-Ève Charbonneau SENC Saint-Eustache QC
CAN-GCP-0151 The Arbory Ltd. Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0153 Midway Farm Market and Greenhouses Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0154 Les serres Mario et Dominic Lacroix Inc. Laval QC
CAN-GCP-0155 European Planters Inc. Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0156 DeVry Greenhouses Ltd. Chilliwack BC
CAN-GCP-0158 Serres Pierre Houle Mirabel QC
CAN-GCP-0159 Grassie Produce Grassie ON
CAN-GCP-0160 Les Serres Jean-Marc Joly Mirabel QC
CAN-GCP-0162 Waldan Gardens Wholesale Wainfleet ON
CAN-GCP-0163 Pure Horticulture Inc. Saint-Rémi QC
CAN-GCP-0164 Jacques Lauzon et fils Inc. Laval QC
CAN-GCP-0166 Flower Group Operating Inc./One Floral Group Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0167 Tropica Aquarium Plants North Vancouver BC
CAN-GCP-0168 Muldoon Greenhouses Ltd. Coquitlam BC
CAN-GCP-0171 Floral Dimensions Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0172 Greenfield Gardens Inc. Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0173 TD Greenhouses Ltd. Wainfleet ON
CAN-GCP-0175 J. Hong Farms Surrey BC
CAN-GCP-0176 Niagara Flower Growers Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0177 Brookdale Treeland Nurseries – Valleybrook Farm Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0179 Dykstra Greenhouses St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0180 Bayview Flowers Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0181 Bayview Greenhouses Jordan #1 Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0182 Bayview Greenhouses Jordan #2 Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0183 Westland Greenhouses (Jordan) Ltd. Jordan Station ON
CAN-GCP-0185 Lunfus Inc. Welland ON
CAN-GCP-0186 Slappendel Greenhouses Inc. Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0187 Waterview Farms Vineland Station ON
CAN-GCP-0189 Les Jardins Hemmingford 2020 Inc. Hemmingford QC
CAN-GCP-0190 Frisia Flora Greenhouses Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0191 Les Serres AML Dauphinais Inc Hemmingford QC
CAN-GCP-0192 United Floral Distributors Fenwick ON
CAN-GCP-0193 Scott Street Greenhouses Ltd. St. David's ON
CAN-GCP-0194 François Dauphinais Lacolle QC
CAN-GCP-0195 Pan American Nursery Products Inc. Surrey BC
CAN-GCP-0196 Pan American Nursery Products Inc Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
CAN-GCP-0197 Hanemaayer Greenhouses Ltd. Vineland ON
CAN-GCP-0198 Van Egmond & Sons Greenhouses St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0199 Greenex International, Inc. St. Catharines ON
CAN-GCP-0200 Berkelbloem Inc. Simcoe ON
CAN-GCP-0202 Van Zanten Greenhouses Pelham ON
CAN-GCP-0206 Fil Growers Limited Newmarket ON
CAN-GCP-0208 Production Frankarl inc. Saint-Eustache QC
CAN-GCP-0209 Les Jardins Rivière la Guerre St-Anicet QC
CAN-GCP-0211 ABC Plants Inc. Montréal QC
CAN-GCP-0212 Houweling's Nurseries Limited Delta BC
CAN-GCP-0213 Sand Plain Gardens Simcoe ON
CAN-GCP-0214 Infarm Indoor Urban Farming Canada Inc. Mount Hope ON
CAN-GCP-0216 Scenic Floral Inc. Beamsville ON
CAN-GCP-0218 Genson Quality Plants Inc. Kingsville ON

Appendix 3: Administrative requirements for export certification labels and interfacility stamps

General requirements

Subject to the requirements of this appendix, authorized facilities may obtain export certification labels and interfacility stamps from the supplier of their choice.

At the time of receipt, facilities must verify that export certification labels and interfacility stamps meet the technical specifications found in Appendix 4.

Facilities must maintain a current inventory of export certification labels and interfacility stamps through their life cycle.

Specific requirements

Export certification labels

Interfacility stamps

Records

The following details must be included in the facility's records:

Appendix 4: Specifications and examples of export certification labels and interfacility stamps

1.0 Export Certification Label, Canada

Download the Export Certification Label and fill in the Authorization number and Serial number using 22 point bold Helvetica or Arial font.

Click image to download PDF version (504 kb)
Export certification label
Description of export certification label

The Export Certification Label is a rectangular sticker

All the information on the Export Certification Label is present in both official languages

The facility authorization number appears on the top line of the sticker

The second line of the sticker is the unique serial number

The middle of the sticker is headed "United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program" followed by the phytosanitary declaration: "The plants have been produced under the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program, are free from regulated pests, practically free from other injurious pests, and meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States."

The bottom line of the sticker starts with a Canada flag, followed by Canadian Food Inspection Agency and followed by the word Canada with a small Canada flag over the final "a"

Label specifications

Paper: white, permanent adhesive label

Size: 10.16 cm wide by 7.62 cm high (4 inches wide by 3 inches high), no bleed

Ink type: permanent. Labels that smear are considered noncompliant.

Ink colour: 100% Black (or C=0 M=0 Y=0 K=100%)

Font for the Authorization number and Serial number: 22 point bold, Helvetica or Arial.

Facilities found to be using GCP export certification labels that do not meet the specifications of this section will be assessed a minor noncompliance and the noncompliant export certification labels must be surrendered to or disposed of with the concurrence of CFIA.

1.1 Export Certification Label, Canada, duplicate version

Facilities whose business practices require a duplicate copy of the export certification label may use the following template.

Download the duplicate version of the Export Certification Label and fill in the authorization number and serial number using 22 point bold Helvetica or Arial font.

Click image to download PDF version (502 kb)
export certification label with copy wordmark
Description of export certification label with "copy-copie" wordmark

The Export Certification Label is a rectangular sticker

All the information on the Export Certification Label is present in both official languages.

The facility authorization number appears on the top line of the sticker

The second line of the sticker is the unique serial number

The middle of the sticker is headed "United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program" followed by the phytosanitary declaration: "The plants have been produced under the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program, are free from regulated pests, practically free from other injurious pests, and meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States."

The bottom line of the sticker starts with a Canada flag, followed by Canadian Food Inspection Agency and followed by the word Canada with a small Canada flag over the final "a"

The text on the sticker is overlaid diagonally with "copy – copie"

Label specifications

Label specifications are the same as for the original export certification label shown in Section 1.0 above, with the exception that the duplicate may be proportionally scaled down to meet the facility's business needs.

2.0 Interfacility Stamp, Canada

Download the Interfacility Stamp and fill in the authorization number using 22 point bold Helvetica or Arial font.

Click image to download PDF version (143 kb)
interfacility stamp
Description of interfacility stamp

All the information on the interfacility stamp is present in both official languages

The top left of the stamp is the Canada flag

The top line of the stamp states "Canadian Food Inspection Agency"

The body of the stamp states "United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program" and "Interfacility stamp". Underneath is written the facility authorization number.

The bottom right corner of the stamp states "Canada" with a small Canada flag over the final "a".

Stamp specifications

Stamps may be self-inking or may be used with a stamp pad.

Size: 15.24 cm wide by 7.62 cm high (6 inches wide by 3 inches high). The stamp size may be proportionally scaled down to a minimum 7.62 cm high by 3.81 cm high (3 inches wide by 1.5 inches high) to meet the facility's business needs.

Ink type: permanent

Ink colour: black

Font for the authorization number: 22 point bold, Helvetica or Arial

3.0 Export Certification Label, United States

export certification label – United States
Description of export certification label – United States

The Export Certification Label is a rectangular sticker

At the top of the label is the USDA symbol followed by "United States-Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification program"

The middle of the sticker is headed "United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program" followed by the phytosanitary declaration "The plants have been produced under the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program, are free from regulated pests, practically free from other injurious pests, and meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States."

The facility authorization number appears at the bottom of the sticker

The last line of the sticker is the unique serial number

Appendix 5: Forms

All forms referenced in this appendix may also be accessed through the CFIA Forms Catalogue.

1.0 Application to Participate in the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

Applications are submitted to the local CFIA office. Please contact your local office for details regarding how they would like to receive the application.

The application form can be found at:

CFIA/ACIA 5787 Application to Participate in the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

2.0 Compliance agreement

The compliance agreement may be prepared by the facility or by the local CFIA office. The local CFIA inspector will determine who will prepare the compliance agreement and when it should be prepared.

The compliance agreement can be found at:

CFIA/ACIA 5793: Compliance Agreement for Authorized Facility, United States-Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

3.0 Pest management plan template

The pest management plan is a prerequisite for authorization of a facility, place of production. The CFIA will review the pest management plan as part of the authorization process and the ongoing audit process following authorization. The completed pest management plan is submitted to the local CFIA inspection office. Please contact your local office when you are ready to submit your complete pest management plan.

For convenience of facilities, the CFIA has prepared a pest management plan template in a fillable PDF format that can be found at:

CFIA/ACIA 5792 Pest Management Plan: United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

Alternatively, facilities may prepare their pest management plan using the software of their choice. The plan must be typed and follow the same headings and content as the ".pdf Pest Management Plan Template". Standardized third party pest management plan templates that meet the requirements of this section may also be used, for example the template provided in the GCP end-user training developed by Flowers Canada Growers.

For reference, the following are the headings and elements that must be included in the facility's pest management plan.

Content and layout instructions

Supplemental documents may be used to complete or add detail to individual sections of the pest management plan.

When a supplemental document is included in the pest management plan, it may either be incorporated directly or included by reference by indicating the name of the document and its location under the appropriate heading(s).

Supplemental documents referenced in this pest management plan are considered to be part of the pest management plan for the purpose of the GCP compliance agreement.

The title of the pest management plan is:

Pest Management Plan
United States - Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program
Section 1 Facility and contact information

Mailing address

Physical address

Content and layout instructions

Physical address information is required for each location included under the facility authorization. Indicate if a location map is attached. If the facility is maintaining the Pest
Management Plan in electronic format, locations of maps and other supplemental information must be indicated under the applicable headings.

GCP manager

Content and layout instructions

A signature is optional for facilities maintaining the GCP pest management plan in electronic format.

Section 2 Amendment record

For each amendment, indicate:

Section 3 Management, designated personnel and key functions

Content and layout instructions

The minimum personnel to be listed include owner, GCP manager and alternate GCP manager.

The pest management plan may include additional personnel as desired.

Section 4 Regulated pests present in area or regulated pests that would trigger an additional declaration if a phytosanitary certificate was issued (supplied by CFIA)

For each pest, indicate:

Section 5 Pest management plan details

Preventive Control Plan (PCP) Sub-element 1.1 Incoming plants, inventory control and production practices

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.2 List of plants in production

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5.1 Incoming plants

GCP Part IV, Section 2.1.2 Inventory control

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.4 Separation of ineligible plants

Content and layout instructions

If the CFIA requires specific measures, go to the heading titled GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules, create an entry for "additional safeguarding prescribed by the CFIA" and describe the measures there.

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.5 Separation of plants that have not completed the growth and monitoring period

Content and layout instructions

If the CFIA requires specific measures, go to the heading titled GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules, create an entry for "additional safeguarding prescribed by the CFIA" and describe the measures there.

Although there is no content required under this heading, include it in the pest management plan for consistency with the .pdf Pest Management Plan Template provided by the CFIA.

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.1 Protection from soil-borne pests

Content and layout instructions

If there are regulated soil-borne pests in the area where the facility is located, the management practices to prevent contamination must be included in the appropriate pest module under heading GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.1 Pest modules.

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules

Content and layout instructions

There are 5 types of production modules that may be included in the pest management plan:

  • growth and monitoring less than 28 days
  • outdoor growth
  • associated articles
  • additional safeguarding prescribed by the CFIA
  • special

The layout for each type of production module is described below. Production modules are to be included in the pest management plan as appropriate. If there are multiple distinct production modules of the same type (for example, the facility uses multiple types of associated articles), create a separate production module for each situation. When a production module is no longer required, it may be removed from the Pest Management Plan.

Note: the "special" module option is reserved for future programs/ initiatives that may be administered under the GCP. Instructions describing the production module will be included in the program/ initiative details.

Production module: Growth and monitoring less than 28 days

Production module: Outdoor growth

Production module: Associated articles

Production module: Additional safeguarding prescribed by the CFIA

Production module: Special

PCP Sub-element 1.4 Inspection and verification of certified plants

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5.3 Shipping inspection of certified plants

PCP Sub-element 2.2 Pest detection and pest control

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5 Pest detection and pest control

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5.2 Examination of production areas

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.1 Pest modules

Content and layout instructions

A pest module must be developed for each pest listed in Section 4 where the requirement for a pest module is "yes".

Pest module

For each pest, indicate:

PCP Sub-element 5.1 Description of greenhouse and production areas

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures and production practices

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.2 Protection from non-irrigation water and water-borne pests

Content and layout instructions

If there are regulated water-borne pests in the area where the facility is located, the management practices to prevent contamination must be included in the appropriate pest module under heading GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.1 Pest modules.

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.3 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures and production practices

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.6 Exemption for outdoor production

Content and layout instructions

If an exemption for outdoor production is in place, go to the heading titled GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules and create an entry for "Exemption for outdoor production".

Although there is no content required under this heading, include it in the pest management plan for consistency with the .pdf pest management plan template provided by the CFIA.

4.0 Request for exemption

2 exemption request forms have been standardized and are available in a fillable PDF format. Similar forms are used by GCP facilities in the United States.

CFIA/ACIA 5789: Request for Exemption from the Minimum Growth and Monitoring Period, United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

CFIA/ACIA 5790: Request for Exemption for Outdoor Growth, United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

The completed request for exemption is submitted to the local CFIA office. The pest management plan must be submitted with the exemption request.

The local office will triage the request and may return it for more information.

The exemption request will be considered by an APHIS-CFIA joint administration group.

The exemption request may be;

Exemption requests that are accepted will be incorporated into the facility's pest management plan as a production module.

Appendix 6: GCP audit inspections under the CFIA Standard Inspection Procedure

The GCP is audited using the CFIA Standard Inspection Procedure (SIP) as the framework for conducting GCP audit inspections.

The following tables are extracted from the Operational Guidance that is given to CFIA inspectors to guide delivery of the GCP. The phytosanitary risk management measures from the GCP Compliance Agreement are grouped under the SIP audit structure. Authorized facilities reviewing their SIP audit report can use these tables to relate the feedback in the audit report to the audited sections of their GCP Compliance Agreement.

Note: if the same or similar phytosanitary risk management measures appear under multiple headings in the GCP Compliance Agreement, they may have been grouped into a single item under the SIP framework.

1. Audit framework for places of production

1.1 Preventive Control Plan (PCP) sub-element 1.1(a) The process is controlled to achieve regulatory compliance.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 Pest management plan
2.2.6
Is the pest management plan current?
Has the facility notified CFIA of any amendments to the pest management plan?
2 Plant list
2.2.2 and its subparts 2.2.2.1
2.2.2.2
2.2.2.3
2.2.2.4
Is a current list of all plants in production at the facility maintained:
  • all taxa are described to genus and species/cultivar if required by legislation
  • source indicates country name
  • description includes growth stage and form of incoming plants
  • There is a note when plants are imported and are in growing media from a third country
  • There is a note if there are specific phytosanitary import requirements
  • There is a note on the plant list on whether plants are eligible or ineligible for the GCP
3 Plant list
2.2.2
Does the system described in the pest management plan support the desired outcome to ensure that the facility can adequately describe how plants will qualify under the GCP?
4 Eligible plants
2.2.3
Records
2.1.4
Which records are maintained to demonstrate eligibility to enter the GCP?
Which records will include source of plants?
Which records will show dates and growth stage of plants that entered the facility?
For eligible plants from third countries, which records will indicate plants meet U.S. size-age requirements at the time of entry to Canada or the continental United States?
Which records include date and growth stage when certified plants are shipped?
5 Incoming plants
2.2.5.1
Protection from soil borne pests 2.2.1.1
Are incoming plants inspected prior to moving into production areas?
Do plants entering in growing media from other than the continental United States or Canada meet the requirements of both jurisdictions' growing media programs?
6 Inventory control
2.1.2
Does the system described in the pest management plan support the outcome to ensure that product identity will be maintained?
7 Separation of ineligible plants
2.2.1.4
Are there plants grown at the facility that are of the same taxa and both eligible and ineligible? Is the system that is in place to maintain their identity and segregation robust enough?
8 Separation of plants not completing growth and monitoring
2.2.1.5
Are the plants that require a 28 day growth & monitoring period separated in a manner commensurate with pest risk (for example, pest risk associated with the specific taxa and origin)?
9 Control of non- conforming plants
2.1.2.1
Does the system described in the pest management plan support the outcome of ensuring that non-conforming plants will be identified, inventoried and handled in a manner that ensures they are not shipped under the GCP, and that the plants will not contaminate, infest or become mixed with plants grown/shipped under the GCP?
10 Protection from soil and soil-borne pests
2.2.1.1
Does the description in the facility's pest management plan include a step to verify that the growing media is free from regulated pests?
11 Protection from soil and soil-borne pests
2.2.1.1
Do the measures that the facility has in place ensure that growing media will be managed to preclude contamination by regulated soil-borne pests?
12 Production modules
2.2.7.2
Exemption for outdoor production 2.2.1.6
Have production modules for outdoor production been accepted by the CFIA/joint administration group?
Have the mitigation measures described in the production modules for outdoor production been implemented?
13 Production module
2.2.7.2
Have production modules for the exemption from the 28 day growth and monitoring period been accepted by the CFIA/joint administration group?
14 Production module
2.2.7.2
Have the measures described in the production modules for associated articles been implemented?
15 Production module
2.2.7.2
Separation of ineligible plants
2.2.1.4 (when applicable)
Does the system described in the pest management plan ensure that eligible and ineligible plants of the same taxa are identified?
Are plants separated sufficiently to manage pest risk?
16 Production module 2.2.7.2
Separation of plants that have not completed the growth and monitoring (when applicable)
Are the plants that have not completed the growth and monitoring period and that pose a risk are sufficiently identified to manage the risk?
17 Notifying the
NPPO
2.1.5
If there is a pest find of significance or there is a situation that is considered a critical noncompliance, will the GCP manager stop shipping the affected certified plants until advice is received from the CFIA? The facility has a process where CFIA will be notified when there is a presence or suspected presence of any condition or situation that may be considered a critical noncompliance at the facility or in association with product purchased or sold, and when there are changes in ownership or the GCP manager.
1.2 PCP sub-element 1.4 Exported commodities meet foreign country import requirements and conditions and Canadian export requirements, where applicable.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 Who has been designated to maintain control of export certification labels and interfacility stamps?
2 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How are export certification labels and interfacility stamps stored securely?
How does the facility ensure that labels and stamps are accessed and used only by trained, authorized personnel and not shared with other facilities?
3 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How does the facility ensure that export certification labels and interfacility stamps will not be used for purposes other than shipping plants from the authorized facility's premises?
4 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 Does the documentation accompanying GCP shipments include the destination, the quantity of certified plants and the scientific name of each plant in the consignment with plants identified to genus, and to species/cultivar if required by regulation?
5 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How does the documentation clearly link the certified plants to the export certification label or interfacility stamp?
6 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How does the facility ensure that the documentation for mixed planters, hanging baskets, tropical baskets, etc. will include identification of all plant taxa?
7 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How does the facility ensure that when mixed planters include plants that are eligible but not certified, there is an official phytosanitary inspection conducted and kept on record?
8 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 The CFIA must be contacted if export certification labels or interfacility stamps are lost or stolen.
9 Export certification label 2.1.3.1 How does the facility ensure that the Export Certification Labels are affixed to an appropriate document with the required information: destination, quantity of certified plants, scientific name of each plant in the consignment?
10 Export certification label 2.1.3.1 How does the facility ensure a separate Export Certification Label is used for each separate consignee?
11 Export certification label 2.1.3.1 Export Certification Labels are used for United States exports only.
12 Interfacility stamp 2.1.3.2 How does the facility ensure that the interfacility stamp is applied only to shipping documents for plants shipped domestically to another authorized facility?
13 Inventory control
2.1.2
Records
2.1.4
How does the facility demonstrate that only eligible plants are used to produce certified plants?
How does the facility demonstrate that only certified plants are shipped under an Export Certification Label or interfacility stamp?
How do records demonstrate that certified plants meet the conditions of the GCP?
14 Shipping inspection of Certified Plants 2.2.5.3 How does the facility ensure that certified plants are inspected to verify freedom from regulated pests?
15 Records 2.1.4 Availability of records during audits.
16 Records 2.1.4 Minimum 3 year record retention period.
17 Records 2.1.4 Do records include the date of the activity, name of designated person, and specific information related to the activity, as well as additional comments or notes describing any deviations?
1.3 PCP sub-element 2.2 An effective control program for pests, including vectors, is in place to prevent entry, to detect and eliminate pests and to prevent contamination of the commodity.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 Examination of production areas
2.2.5.2
Are procedures to scout all production areas implemented as per the facility's Pest Management Plan?
Are these conducted at a minimum 2 week interval?
2 GCP manager
2.2.4
How does the GCP manager ensure that facilities are monitored and maintained and production areas are monitored to verify freedom from regulated pests?
3 Pest detection and control
2.2.5
Are records related to scouting (pest monitoring), inspections, control procedures, pest identification and laboratory submissions maintained as per the Pest Management Plan?
4 Pest detection and control
2.2.5
Are there procedures to take control measures immediately should regulated pests be detected? (Immediately means that steps are taken as soon as notification is received to control or mitigate the pest and a control plan is developed.
5 Pest modules
2.2.7.1
Protection from soil and soil-borne pests 2.2.1.1
Irrigation and protection from non-irrigation water and water-borne pests
2.2.1.2
Are the mitigation measures described in the pest modules effective?
6 Irrigation and protection from non-irrigation water and water-borne pests
2.2.1.2
Does the facility source irrigation water as described in the Pest Management Plan to support the outcome to ensure that irrigation water will be clean and free from regulated pests?
1.4 PCP sub-element 3.2 Employees have adequate technical knowledge and understanding of operation(s) or process(es) for which they are responsible and of how they may impact human, animal or plant health, the environment and other regulatory requirements.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 GCP manager and designated staff
2.1.1
Have a GCP manager and alternate been appointed with responsibilities under the GCP? Are they aware of all requirements of the GCP?
2 GCP manager and designated staff
2.1.1
Does the GCP manager have the authority and responsibility to develop and implement procedures that meet the requirements of the GCP?
3 Designated staff
2.1.1
Do individuals that are designated to carry out GCP tasks have adequate skills, knowledge, training and authority?
4 CFIA audit
2.1.6
Will the GCP manager be present for the CFIA audit and will the authorized facility cooperate with the auditor and permit the auditor to collect and record information?
1.5 PCP sub-element 5.1 Conditions of the premises and surroundings do not contribute to contamination, infection or infestation of regulated commodities.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures
2.2.1
Does the facility provide a structure where the plants can be produced within, under or sheltered by the structure and does the structure provide modified growing conditions and/or protection from pests and the outdoor environment?
2 Buffers and protection from unmanaged plants/areas
2.2.1.3
Is a pest exclusion barrier present (or alternatively is a 3 meter/10 foot buffer maintained free from weeds and unmanaged plants) around the production and handling areas, as described in the Pest Management Plan?
How are production and handling areas maintained free from weeds and unmanaged plants?
3 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures
2.2.1
Are production, receiving, handling, storing and shipping areas maintained in good condition?
4 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures
2.2.1
How are deficiencies in design or maintenance promptly identified and rectified?
5 Protection from soil and soil-borne pests
2.2.1.1
How does the facility ensure that plants are not planted or rooted directly in the ground and how does the facility ensure plants are produced in a manner to prevent contamination by soil-borne regulated pests?
6 Irrigation and Protection from Non-irrigation water and water-borne pests
2.2.1.2
How does the facility ensure protection from non-irrigation water sources, which includes unintentional flooding and the accumulation of standing water?

2. Audit framework for plant brokers

2.1 PCP sub-element 1.1(a) The process is controlled to achieve regulatory compliance.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 Inventory control
2.1.2
How does the GCP manager ensure product identity is maintained within the facility?
2 Control of non- conforming plants
2.1.2.1
How does the GCP manager ensure that non-conforming plants are identified, inventoried and handled in a manner that ensures they are not shipped under the GCP, and that they do not contaminate, infest or become mixed with plants grown/shipped under the GCP?
3 Notifying the
NPPO
2.1.5
Should there be a pest find of significance or if there is a situation that is considered a critical noncompliance, will the GCP manager stop shipping the affected certified plants until advice is received from the CFIA? The facility has a process where CFIA will be notified when there is a presence or suspected presence of any condition or situation that may be considered a critical noncompliance at the facility or in association with product purchased or sold, or when there are changes in ownership or the GCP manager.
2.2 PCP sub-element 1.4 Exported commodities meet foreign country import requirements and conditions and Canadian export requirements, where applicable.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 Who has been designated to maintain control of Export Certification Labels and interfacility stamps?
2 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How are the Export Certification Labels and interfacility stamps stored securely?
How does the facility ensure that labels and stamps are accessed and used only by trained, authorized personnel and not shared with other facilities?
3 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 How does the facility ensure that Export Certification Labels and interfacility stamps will not be used for purposes other than shipping plants from the authorized facility's premises?
4 GCP certification documents 2.1.3 Does the documentation accompanying GCP shipments include the destination, the quantity of certified plants and the scientific name of each plant in the consignment with plants identified to genus, and to species/cultivar if required by regulation?
5 GCP certification documents
2.1.3
How does the documentation clearly link the certified plants to the export certification label or interfacility stamp?
6 GCP certification documents
2.1.3
How does the facility ensure that the documentation for mixed planters, hanging baskets, tropical baskets, etc. includes identification of all plant taxa?
7 GCP certification documents
2.1.3
CFIA must be contacted if export certification labels or interfacility stamps are lost or stolen.
8 Export Certification Label
2.1.3.1
The Export Certification Labels are affixed to an appropriate document with the required information: destination, quantity of certified plants, scientific name of each plant in the consignment.
9 Export Certification Label
2.1.3.1
A separate Export Certification Labels is used for each separate consignee?
10 Export Certification Label
2.1.3.1
Export Certification Labels are used for exports to the United States only.
11 Interfacility Stamp
2.1.3.2
How does the facility ensure that the Interfacility Stamp is applied only to shipping documents for plants shipped domestically to another authorized facility?
12 Inventory control
2.1.2
How does the facility demonstrate that only certified plants will be shipped under an Export Certification Label or Interfacility Stamp?
How do records demonstrate that certified plants meet the conditions of the GCP?
13 Records
2.1.4
Availability of records during audits.
14 Records
2.1.4
Minimum 3 year record retention period.
2.3 PCP Sub-element 3.2 Employees have adequate technical knowledge and understanding of operation(s) or process(es) for which they are responsible and of how they may impact human, animal or plant health, the environment and other regulatory requirements.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 GCP manager and designated staff
2.1.1
Have a GCP manager and alternate been appointed with responsibilities under the GCP? Are they aware of all requirements of the GCP?
2 GCP manager and designated staff
2.1.1
Does the GCP manager have the authority and responsibility to develop and implement procedures that meet the requirements of the GCP?
3 Designated staff
2.1.1
Do individuals that are designated to carry out GCP tasks have adequate skills, knowledge, training and authority?
4 CFIA audit
2.1.6
Will the GCP manager be present for the CFIA audit and will the authorized facility cooperate with the auditor and permit the auditor to collect and record information?
2.4 PCP Sub-element 5.1 Conditions of the premises and surroundings do not contribute to contamination, infection or infestation of regulated commodities.
No GCP Part IV GCP Compliance Agreement elements
1 Minimum requirements for broker structures
2.3.1
A pest exclusion barrier (or a 3 meter / 10 foot buffer that is maintained free of weeds and unmanaged plants) is required around the production and handling areas.
2 Examination of shipping areas and certified plants
2.3.2
The GCP manager is responsible for the monitoring of shipping and storage areas, reporting pest detections and implementing pest control measures when pests are detected.
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