GRAPEVINE CERTIFICATION AND THE IMPORTATION OF GRAPEVINES INTO THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN PLANT PROTECTION ORGANIZATION (NAPPO)

NAPPO is the Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) for the North American countries of Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico. As a RPPO under the International Plant Protection Convention, NAPPO has the mission of coordinating the efforts of the three countries to protect their plant resources from the entry, establishment, and spread of regulated plant pests, while facilitating intra/interregional trade. Each country within North America retains its sovereignty in establishing and administering Plant Protection matters and issues. In carrying out its mission, NAPPO develops regional standards for phytosanitary measures (RSPM). These standards are approved by the member countries and serve as guidelines. NAPPO has developed part 1 of a regional standard addressing the importation of grapevines into a NAPPO member country from other countries. The Standard describes the requirements for the importation of grapevines by the member countries, and the movement of grapevines between them. Grapevine pests specifically dealt with in the Standard are viruses and virus-like agents, viroids, phytoplasmas, and bacteria. The scope of the Standard does not include non-pest related items such as varietal trueness-to-type, and quality grades and standards. These issues, although very important to viticulturists and nurseries, are outside NAPPO’s phytosanitary mandate. The Standard has been developed to provide for equitable and orderly trade of grapevine propagative material while assuring that the probability of the introduction of regulated pests is reduced to an acceptable level. The Standard outlines a program for managing viruses and virus-like agents, viroids, phytoplasmas and bacteria, achieved through a combination of prohibitions, restrictions, and certification approaches. The Standard is divided into two sections with an appendix of economically significant pests and acceptable testing methods. The General Requirements section addresses the pest risk analysis and pest risk management measures. A pest risk analysis is required to determine the risks associated with importing grapevines from another country. Appropriate pest management measures such as prohibition and import restrictions are then applied as required. These measures are explained in the Standard. The Specific Requirements section of the Standard identifies components of a comprehensive phytosanitary certification program. A certification program is an effective way of controlling pests within a country or area. It may also sufficiently mitigate the pest risks associated with importing foreign grapevines to allow importation with some restrictions. A certification program must be well defined and managed in order to be effective. The parameters of a certification program and requirements of participants and administrators must be clear. The issues addressed in this section include program administration, terminology, testing, eligibility, the nomenclature of certification levels, horticultural management, isolation and sanitation requirements, inspection and re-testing, documentation, identification and labelling, quality assurance, noncompliance and remedial measures, and criteria for post entry quarantine. This section may be used as a guideline for the evaluation of a foreign certification program or the establishment of a new certification program. There are two basic types of grapevine certification programs within North American. The Canadian Plant Protection Export Certification Program (PPECP) for Grapevine Nursery Stock was primarily developed to meet foreign import requirements. However, much of the plant material produced under the program is used within Canada. The PPECP is a voluntary program administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada’s National Plant Protection Organization. The program deals with phytosanitary certification issues only. It does not consider non-pest items such as varietal trueness-to-type, and quality grades and standards. These items are negotiated between the buyer and seller. Domestic or imported varieties that have been fully tested through the Centre for Plant Health in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada are eligible for the PPECP. The PPECP explains the eligibility, approval, certification, inspection and testing requirements. Grapevines produced under the PPECP are eligible for export to the United States, and other countries. The primary grapevine certification program used in the United States is slightly different. These grapevine certification programs are administered at the state level. Some states have voluntary certification programs. Other states require mandatory registration and licensing before grapevine material may be sold within that state. These certification programs strive to prevent the spread of regulated or harmful pests and promote the elimination of specific grapevine diseases that are spread by vegetative or cultural practices. Propagative material originates from approved testing facilities. Nursery registration, inspection and testing ensure the quality of grapevines produced within those programs. Variety trueness-to-type requirements are often included. Grapevines produced under some state certification programs are eligible for export to Canada and Mexico.