Just posted on the Canola Council of Canada
webpage, http://www.canolacouncil.org
Canola Exports to China - Phytosanitary
Requirements
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has advised
the grain trade that it received a notice from China
on October 20, 2009 that effective November 15,
2009 a phytosanitary certificate is required for
canola shipments to China certifying that the
shipments are free from blackleg (Leptosphaeria
maculans). November 15 is the date of shipment
from Canada, not arrival in China. CFIA has
indicated that it will not be able to issue a
certificate as blackleg is a common plant disease of
canola in Canada and there is agreed to testing
method.
Blackleg is a serious plant disease of canola that
can result in significant yield loss in susceptible
varieties. It is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria
maculans and commonly occurs in canola growing
regions throughout the world. Blackleg is only a
disease of some plants. It does not affect animals.
Although blackleg does occur in China, the Chinese
have indicated that they have non- virulent strains
while Canada and Australia have virulent strains
that could impact their ****seed crop.
Australia has also been notified that their canola
shipments to China must be certified free from
blackleg effective October 15, 2009.
CFIA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
consider this a very important issue that must be
resolved quickly. CFIA immediately requested a
minimum six month extension to deal with this
issue and to provide China with additional
information. A delegation from AAFC and the CFIA
will be meeting with Chinese officials during the
week of October 26, 2009.
Further updates will be posted to the CCC website
as they become available.
Weed Seeds
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has
advised the grain trade that a phytosanitary
certificate is required for grain (including canola)
shipments to China certifying that the shipments
are free from the following eleven weed seeds:
o Lolium temulentum. (darnel ryegrass)
o Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass)
o Cenchrus spp. (non-Chinese species) (sandbur)
o Solanum carolinense (bull nettle)
o Solanum rostratum (buffalo bur)
o Xanthium spp. (cocklebur)
o Ipomoea pandurata (wild potato vine)
o Iva axillaris (povertyweed)
o Iva xanthiifolia (false ragweed)
o Knautia arvensis (field scabious)
o Lactuca pulchella (blue lettuce)
This list is reduced from the 21 weed seeds as
notified by CFIA in April 2009.
The CFIA is in discussions with Chinese officials
about a tolerance level for the weed seeds - until
then the tolerance is zero, but CFIA has indicated
that it will deal with issues on a case-by-case
basis.
-end story-
The Canadian government officials are being closely
supported by the Canola Council and the canola
grower organizations in order to meet this very
important customers needs. Meetings with
importers from China are also scheduled for this
winter. Meeting the needs of the customer is not
optional because without customers there are no
canola growers.
Ward Toma
General Manager
Alberta Canola Producers
webpage, http://www.canolacouncil.org
Canola Exports to China - Phytosanitary
Requirements
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has advised
the grain trade that it received a notice from China
on October 20, 2009 that effective November 15,
2009 a phytosanitary certificate is required for
canola shipments to China certifying that the
shipments are free from blackleg (Leptosphaeria
maculans). November 15 is the date of shipment
from Canada, not arrival in China. CFIA has
indicated that it will not be able to issue a
certificate as blackleg is a common plant disease of
canola in Canada and there is agreed to testing
method.
Blackleg is a serious plant disease of canola that
can result in significant yield loss in susceptible
varieties. It is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria
maculans and commonly occurs in canola growing
regions throughout the world. Blackleg is only a
disease of some plants. It does not affect animals.
Although blackleg does occur in China, the Chinese
have indicated that they have non- virulent strains
while Canada and Australia have virulent strains
that could impact their ****seed crop.
Australia has also been notified that their canola
shipments to China must be certified free from
blackleg effective October 15, 2009.
CFIA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
consider this a very important issue that must be
resolved quickly. CFIA immediately requested a
minimum six month extension to deal with this
issue and to provide China with additional
information. A delegation from AAFC and the CFIA
will be meeting with Chinese officials during the
week of October 26, 2009.
Further updates will be posted to the CCC website
as they become available.
Weed Seeds
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has
advised the grain trade that a phytosanitary
certificate is required for grain (including canola)
shipments to China certifying that the shipments
are free from the following eleven weed seeds:
o Lolium temulentum. (darnel ryegrass)
o Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass)
o Cenchrus spp. (non-Chinese species) (sandbur)
o Solanum carolinense (bull nettle)
o Solanum rostratum (buffalo bur)
o Xanthium spp. (cocklebur)
o Ipomoea pandurata (wild potato vine)
o Iva axillaris (povertyweed)
o Iva xanthiifolia (false ragweed)
o Knautia arvensis (field scabious)
o Lactuca pulchella (blue lettuce)
This list is reduced from the 21 weed seeds as
notified by CFIA in April 2009.
The CFIA is in discussions with Chinese officials
about a tolerance level for the weed seeds - until
then the tolerance is zero, but CFIA has indicated
that it will deal with issues on a case-by-case
basis.
-end story-
The Canadian government officials are being closely
supported by the Canola Council and the canola
grower organizations in order to meet this very
important customers needs. Meetings with
importers from China are also scheduled for this
winter. Meeting the needs of the customer is not
optional because without customers there are no
canola growers.
Ward Toma
General Manager
Alberta Canola Producers
Comment