D-96-07: Phytosanitary Import Requirements for 
Screenings , and Grain and Seed for Cleaning  
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Effective Date: December 1 , 2023  
(6th Revision)  
Subject  
This directive specifies the phytosanitary requirements for:  
 screenings imported into Canada to be pelletized or milled for animal feed;  and 
 screenings generated from the cleaning of seed or grain that has been imported into 
Canada . 
This directive has been revi sed to reflect current formatting standards and include options to 
import seed and grain from off -continent for cleaning in Canada.   
This directive supersedes D -96-07 (5th Revision)  
Table of Contents  
 Introduction  
 Scope  
 Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms  
 1.0 General requirements   
o 1.1 Legislative authority   
o 1.2 Regulated  pests  
o 1.3 Regulated commodities  
o 1.4 Regulated areas  
 2.0 Import requirements  
o 2.1 Regulated end uses  
o 2.2 Specific requirements  
 2.2.1 Imports from the continental U.S.  
 2.2.2 Imports from off continent   
 3.0 Inspection requirements  
o 3.1 Product examination  
o 3.2 Facility inspections  
 4.0 Non -compliance  
 5.0 References  
o 5.1 Fees  
 o 5.2 Supporting documents  
 Appendix 1: Application to handle or import screenings resulting from the cleaning of 
seed or grain from the continental U.S.  
 Appendix 2: Application to handle screenings resulting from the cleaning of seed or grain 
imported from off -continent  
Introduction  
The cleaning of grain or seed after harvest removes separable foreign materials (i.e., screenings) 
such as weed seeds, other grains, straw, chaff, hulls, soil, etc. Screenings have economic value as 
feed for livestock, but when they are imported or generat ed from foreign origin seed or grain , 
they present a  high risk for the entry of pests not known to occur in Canada and are regulated to 
prevent these pests from establishing here.   
Scope  
This directive is intended for use by importers, and CFIA and Canada Border Services Agency 
personnel to prevent the introduction into, and spread in Canada of regulated  plant  pests  or soil . 
It is a guide to Canadian phytosanitary requirements that must be met by persons or entities who 
import  or handle  screenings for further processing or generate  screenings from the cleaning of 
imported seed or grain in 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  
The legislative documents listed below are available at the Department of Justice Canada  
Website : 
 Plant Protection Act  
 Plant Protection Regulations  
 Agriculture and Agri -Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act  
 Agriculture and Agri -Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations  
 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act  
 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I (as amended 
from time to time)  
 
  
 1.2.  Regulated pests  
Imports into Canada must be free from soil and pests on the List of Pests Regulated by Canada , 
unless this condition is waived by way of an import permit issued under the Plant Protection 
Regulations . 
1.3  Regulated commodities  
 Non-processed screenings of foreign origin;  
 Grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops where  the requirements 
for the import to arrive free of regulated weed seeds or soil have been waived in a permit 
issued under the Plant Protection Act . 
1.4  Regulated areas  
All countries.  
2.0  Import requirements  
2.1  Regulated end uses  
Specific commodities and their import requirements  are listed on the CFIA’s Automated Import 
Reference System (AIRS) . Import requirements often depend on the end use of the commodity. 
If imported grain is ultimately intended for human consumption  or livestock feed, but will be 
cleaned  in Canada prior to being made available for food or feed purposes, the CFIA requires the 
importer to declare the end use as “ for cleaning ” as this is the first use after importation.  
Similarly, for seed imports that are intended for sale or distribution in Canada, if they will be 
cleaned prior to sale , the end use that needs to be declared at the time of importation is “for 
cleaning” and not “for propagati on”. 
Commodities destined for use in livestock feed after cleaning may also be subject to restrictions 
to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever into Canada. Please see Importers: understanding 
feed controls to prevent African swine fever - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)  for 
further information.  
2.2  Specific requirements  
Phytosanitary requirements in this directive reflect the requirements of  the Plant Protection Act  
and Regulations . It is the importer's responsibility to ensure that the things that they import  also 
comply with the requirements of other Canadian statutes, such as the Seeds Act  or the Feeds Act . 
2.2.1  Imports from the continental U.S.  
An import  permit  issued under the Plant Protection Regulations  is required for:  
 screenings imported for processing in Canada   
  grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops  that are  imported for 
cleaning  in Canada, and are not accompanied  by a Phytosanitary Certificate at the time of 
importation .   
An import permit will not be issued unless the screenings or the grain or seed to be cleaned are 
destined for an approved facility  in Canada. In order to receive facility approval, i mporters must 
complete the “Application to handle or import screenings resulting from the cleaning of seed or 
grain from the Continental U.S. ” (Appendix 1) .  This application must be su bmitted to  the 
importer' s local CFIA office for approval.   
The following conditions of im port apply to all non-processed screenings  that are imported from 
the Continental U.S. , and to grain or seed that is imported from the Continental U.S . for cleaning  
in Canada . The material must:  
 be transported in a manner that prevent s spills, scattering or unauthorized spread;  and, 
 be routed directly to an approved facility  for handling and treatment according to the 
conditions appearing on the import permit used to bring the material into Canada.   
Unprocessed and residual material s remaining at an approved facility  must be contained and 
disposed of in a manner acceptable to a CFIA inspector . Acceptable disposal  options for 
screenings produced from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from the U.S. may include 
processing  for animal feed or re-exporting the screenings back to the U.S.  
2.2.2  Imports from off -continent  
 imports of screenings are prohibited  
An import  permit  issued under the Plant Protection Regulations  is required for:  
 grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops  that are  imported for 
cleaning in Canada, and are not accompanied  by a Phytosanitary Certificate at the time of 
importation .   
An import permit will not be issued unless the grain or seed to be cleaned is destined for an 
approved facility  in Canada. In order to receive facility approval, i mporters must complete the 
“Application to handle screenings resulting from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from off -
continent ” (Appendix 2).  This application must be submitted to the  importer’s local CFIA office 
for approval.  
The following conditions for import  of grain or seed from off continent for cleaning apply in all  
cases . The material must:  
 be transported in a manner that prevent s spills, scattering or unauthorized spread;  and, 
 be routed directly to an approved facility  for handling and treatment according to the 
conditions appearing on the import permit used to bring the material to Canada.   
 Unprocessed and residual material s remaining at the approved facility  must be contained and 
disposed of in a manner acceptable to a CFIA inspector . Screenings generated from the 
cleaning of seed or grain imported from off -continent must  be disposed of by  incineration or 
deep burial  at a licensed landfill  or other method that the CFIA has determined to be effective 
for preventing the spread of pests. Screenings generated from seed or grain imported from 
off-continent are not permitted to  be used for the production of animal feed in Canada nor are 
they eligible for re-expor t from Canada.   
3.0  Inspection requirements  
3.1  Product inspection  
Shipments of regulated commodities, imported into or moving within Canada, are subject to 
inspection  by a CFIA inspector , and may be sampl ed and test ed for regulated pests and soil.  
Additional phytosanitary measures may be ordered if regulated pests are identified during these 
inspections.  
3.2  Facility inspections  
A facilit y approved to receive import ed screenings, or import ed grain or seed for cleaning in 
Canada, is subject to CFIA inspection s. These inspections  may be conducted to confirm that the 
facility  is carrying out the procedures identified in their application made using the form in either 
Appendix 1 or 2 of this directive . Inspection s may also be conducted to verify th at facilities  are 
complying with the conditions set out in the ir import  permit.  
4.0  Non-compliance  
Shipments that do not meet phytosanitary requirements may be refused entry or movement, 
returned to origin, re -exported, treated or destroyed at the importer's or shipper's expense. These 
expenses also include, but are not limited to, costs associated with quarantine actions resulting 
from accidental contaminatio n caused by shipments during transport, and seizure, confiscation 
and forfeiture of shipments.  
The permit to import may be cancelled if an importer/shipper does not comply with the 
conditions of the permit.  
5.0  References  
5.1 Fees  
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) charges fees in accordance with the Canadian 
Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice . For information regarding fees associated with imported 
products, please contact the National Import Service Centre  (NISC) . For other information 
regarding fees, please contact any CFIA office or visit the Fees Notice  website   
  
 5.2 Supporting documents  
 D-97-04: Application, procedures, issuance and use of a Permit to Import under the Plant 
Protection Act  
   
 Appendix 1: Application to handle or import screenings resulting from the 
cleaning of seed or grain from the continental U.S.  
Name of Processing/Cleaning Facility:  
Address of Facility (physical location receiving product): 
 
Name of Facility Contact:  
Telephone Number of Facility Contact .:  
 
Commodity  
Grain or Seed for Cleaning: Yes   No  (If Yes, complete part A below)  
Screenings:  Yes  No  (If Yes, complete part B below)  
Source (U.S. State of Origin):  
Volume (e.g. No. of Truckloads):  
Period of Importation: (Maximum of one year)  
A. If importing Grain or Seed for Cleaning  
Commodity name:  
Describe transportation, handling and  storage conditions of grain or seed prior to cleaning to 
prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread:  
 
 
 
 
 
Identify the location and method of disposal or processing of screenings derived from cleaning of 
imported grain or seed (e.g. burning, burial, shipping to a processing plant for pelleting or 
milling for animal feed):  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Describe handling and storage conditions for screenings derived from cleaning of imported grain 
or seed , including during  transportation to disposal site:  
 
 
 
 
 
B. If importing screenings or handling screenings produced from cleaning imported seed or 
grain   
Describe transportation, handling and storage conditions of screenings to prevent spills, 
scattering or unauthorized spread:  
 
 
 
 
 
Identify method to be used by facility to process screenings (e.g. pelleting or milling):  
 
 
 
 
 
Approval by a  CFIA inspector is required before a Permit to Import will be issued 
authorizing movement to the cleaning or processing facility of imported grain or seed for 
cleaning or imported screenings.  
Applicant's statement:  
I agree to act as the person responsible for the above facility's management of foreign origin 
screenings.  
I have read and agree to comply with the provisions of D-96-07. In particular, I agree:  
 To route imported material to the facility and process  it as soon as possible following 
arrival.  
 To transport imported material and screenings derived from this material in such a 
manner as to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread.  
 To inform the local CFIA office if spills occur while in transit to the facility.  
 To not sell or distribute imported material until processed at the facility in the manner 
approved by the CFIA inspector.  
 To ensure that third parties co ntractors that I engage comply with the requirements of D-
96-07. 
 
 I have read and understand all conditions in the above statement.  
 
Dated: at: Province:  
 
Applicant's Signature  
 
Name Printed  
The following section must be completed by a CFIA Inspector designated under the Plant 
Protection Act  
Approved for:  
A. Receipt of Grain or Seed for Cleaning: Yes   No  
B. Receipt of Screenings: Yes   No  
 
CFIA Inspector:  
 
Date:  
 
Name Printed:  
 
CFIA Office:  
  
 
 Appendix 2: Application to handle screenings resulting from the cleaning of seed 
or grain imported from off -continent  
Name of Processing/Cleaning Facility:  
Address of Facility (physical location receiving product): 
 
Name of Facility Contact:  
Telephone  Number of Facility Contact :  
 
Commodity  
Grain or Seed for Cleaning: Yes   No   
Source (Country of Origin):  
Volume (e.g. No. of Import Transactions Expected): 
 
Period of Importation: (Maximum of one year)  
A. If importing Grain or Seed for Cleaning  
Commodity name:  
Describe transportation, handling and storage conditions for grain or seed prior to cleaning to 
prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread:  
 
 
 
 
 
Identify location and method of disposal of screenings derived from cleaning of imported grain 
or seed (e.g. incineration or deep burial): 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Describe handling and storage conditions for screenings derived from cleaning of imported grain 
or seed , including during  trans portation to disposal site,:  
 
 
 
 
Approval by  a CFIA inspector is required before a Permit to Import will be issued 
authorizing movement to the cleaning or processing facility of imported grain or seed for 
cleaning .  
Applicant's statement:  
I agree to act as the person responsible for the above facility's management of foreign origin 
screenings.  
I have read and agree to comply with the provisions of D-96-07. In particular, I agree:  
 To route imported material to the facility and process  it as soon as possible following 
arrival.  
 To transport imported material and screenings derived from this material in such a 
manner as to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread.  
 To inform the local CFIA office if spills occur while in transit to the facility.  
 To not sell or distribute imported material until processed at the facility in the manner 
approved by the CFIA inspector.  
 To ensure third parties contractors that I engage comply with the requirements of D-96-
07. 
I have read and understand the above state ment.  
Dated: at: Province:  
 
Applicant's Signature  
 
Name Printed  
The following section must be completed by a CFIA Inspector designated under the Plant 
Protection Act  
Approved for:  
Receipt of Grain or Seed for Cleaning: Yes   No  
 
  
CFIA Inspector:  
 
Date:  
 
Name Printed:  
 
CFIA Office: