Reminder: New plant health requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests in Canada

Effective October 18, 2015, the CFIA updated the requirements for importing and handling potentially injurious organisms in Canada. Through two new policies, the CFIA provides import requirements for a greater number of organisms, and sets out a mechanism to allow the transfer of organisms within Canada.

The new requirements are available on the following CFIA website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/imports/2015-08-18/eng/1436541113638/1436541179381  

• D-12-02, Import Requirements for Potentially Injurious Organisms (Other than Plants) to Prevent the Importation of Plant Pests in Canada. This directive sets out the import requirements on potentially injurious organisms, and includes in Appendix 1 the requirements for numerous organisms for specified end-uses and countries of origin.
• D-12-03, Domestic Requirements for Potentially Injurious Organisms (Other than Plants) to prevent the Spread of Plant Pests Within Canada. This directive provides for the transferring and handling of potentially injurious organisms in Canada, and includes an application process and mechanism to accommodate such requests.

The CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System has been updated to align with the requirements of Directive D-12-02: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409.

The CFIA reminds stakeholders to consult the website regularly to ensure compliance with the new requirements. 

To learn more about the requirements regarding potentially injurious organisms, please contact the Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Programs section at ias.eee@inspection.gc.ca.