D-18-01: Phytosanitary  import requirements for 
propagative m aterial of Rubus  and Ribes  species  from all 
origins  
 
Effective date: February 4 , 2019  
Version 1  ( draft ) 
 
 
Subject  
 
This directive provides  the phytosanitary import requirements  for propagative material of  
Rubus  and Ribes  species ( spp. ) from all origins.  
 
This document supersedes all previous versions of directive D-94-18: Importation of 
Propagative Material of Ribes  spp.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
February 4 , 2019  D-18-01 (Draft )  
 
  
 Page 2 of 7 Table of c ontents  
 
1.0 Legislative authority  
2.0 Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms  
3.0 Introduction  
4.0 Scope  
4.1 Regulated pests  
4.2 Regulated articles  
4.3 Articles outside the scope of this directive  
4.4 Regulated areas  
5.0 Import requirements  
5.1 Permit to import  
5.2 Specific requirements for regulated articles of Rubus and Ribes  spp.  
5.2.1  Phytosanitary import requirements for regulated articles of Rubus spp.  
5.2.2  Phytosanitary import requirements for regulated articles of Ribes  spp.  
6.0 Non -compliance  
7.0 References  
7.1 Fees  
7.2 Supporting documents  
Appendix 1: List of countries authorized to export regulated articles of Rubus  and Ribes  spp. to 
Canada  
 
1.0 Legislative authority  
 
Plant Protection Act  (S.C. 1990, c.  22) 
Plant Protection Regulations  (SOR/95 -212) 
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 can be found in the International Standard for 
Phytosanitary Measures 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms   or the Canadian Food Inspection 
Agency’s (CFIA’s)  Plant Health Glossary of Terms . 
 
The term “import permit” indicates a Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under the Plant 
Protection Act . February 4 , 2019  D-18-01 (Draft )  
 
  
 Page 3 of 7 3.0 Introduction  
 
The international trade of  propagative material of  Rubus and Ribes  spp. is considered to be a 
high risk pathway for the movement of quarantine plant pests, includin g Rubus stunt 
phytoplasma (RSP) and blackcurrant reversion virus  (BRV). 
 
There are many varieties of Rubus  and Ribes  grown throughout Canada, and the diseas es that 
affect these plants could have detrimental effects on plant and fruit quality, in addition to 
jeopardizing  Canada’s export markets .  
 
This directive outlines the phytosanitary requirements that must be met in order to import 
regulated  propagative m aterial of Rubus  and Ribes  spp. from all origins.  
 
 
4.0 Scope  
 
4.1 Regulated pests  
 
Pest Name  Common Name  Host  
Candidatus  Phytoplasma rubi  Rubus stunt phytoplasma  Rubus  spp.  
Blackcurrant reversion virus  Blackcurrant reversion disease  Ribes  spp. 
 
Note:   The table above only highlights  those pests wi th specific import requirements . All 
articles  imported into Canada  must be free from all quarantine pests  of Canada . See the 
List of pests regulated by Canada  for more information.  
 
4.2 Regulated  articles  
 
 All plant material of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp. intended for propagation, other than seeds . 
 
4.3 Articles outside  the scope of this directive  
 
 Seeds of Rubus  and Ribes  spp. 
 Fruit of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp.  (see directive D-95-08) 
 Dried plant material  (see directive D-14-03) February 4 , 2019  D-18-01 (Draft )  
 
  
 Page 4 of 7  
Note:   Requirements for these articles may exist in other directives. Please consult the CFIA’s 
Automated Import Reference System  (AIRS) for more information.  
 
4.4 Regulated a reas  
 
 All origins  
 
Note:   Regulated articles of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp. are Not Authorized Pend ing Pest Risk Analysis 
(NAPPRA) from many countries.  See Appendi x 1 for the list of countries authorized to 
export  regulated articles of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp. material to Canada.    
 
5.0 Import  requirements    
 
5.1 Permit to import  
 
An import permit is required for all  regulated articles of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp. entering C anada 
from areas other than the continental United States . 
 
An import permit is not required for regulated articles of Rubus  and Ribes  spp. originating from 
the continental United States, unless the  imported product is a plant with a novel trait (PNT). 
See directive D-96-13 for details.  
 
5.2 Specific r equirements for regulated articles of Rubus  and Ribes  spp.  
 
Note:   This directive describes only the phytosanitary requirements related to the regulated 
pests in section 4.1. Other requirements may also apply. P lease consult the CFIA’s 
Automated Import Reference System  (AIRS) or contact the CFIA for details.   
 
5.2.1 Phytosanitary import requirements for regulated articles of Rubus  spp.  
Origin  Requirement s 
Any country authorized 
to export  regulated 
articles of  Rubus  spp.  to 
Canada (see Appendix 1 ) Must meet the applicable requirements of  D-08-04: Plant protection 
import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting . 
 
Regulated articles m ust be found by the National P lant Protection 
Organization  (NPPO)  of the cou ntry of origin to be free of 
Candidatus  Phytoplasma rubi (Rubus stunt phytoplasma ) based on February 4 , 2019  D-18-01 (Draft )  
 
  
 Page 5 of 7 visual examination and indexing of the parental stock.  
 
Indexing procedures authorized by the CFIA  for Candidatus  
Phytoplasma rubi (Rubus stunt phytoplasma)  are graft transmission  
of the pest to an indicator plant for Rubus  spp. , mechanical 
transmission of the  pest to an indicator plant  for Rubus  spp. , 
serology , or another procedure approved  by the CFIA . 
 
Must  be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with  the 
following additional declaration:  
 
“The plants were derived from mother plants that were indexed  and 
found free from Candidatus  Phytoplasma rubi  (Rubus stunt 
phytoplasma) .” 
All other origins  Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis (NAPPRA).  See the list of 
NAPPRA plants  for more information.  
 
 
5.2.2 Phytosanitary import requirements for regulated articles of Ribes  spp.  
Origin  Requirement s 
Any country authorized 
to export  regulated 
articles of  Ribe s spp. to 
Canada (see Appendix 1 )  Must meet the applicable requirements of D-08-04: Plant 
protection import requirements for plants and plant parts for 
planting . 
 
All other origins  Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis (NAPPRA).  See the list of 
NAPPRA plants  for more information.  
 
Countries not listed in Appendix 1  that wish to export  regulate d 
articles of  Ribes  spp. to Canada may be required to develop a 
certification program that ensures freedom from blackcurrant 
reversion virus, and submit a copy of this program to the CFIA for 
review.  
 
6.0 Non -compliance  
 
Imported articles  may be inspected by the CFIA and must meet all requirements when reaching February 4 , 2019  D-18-01 (Draft )  
 
  
 Page 6 of 7 their  first point of arrival in Canada. Articles  that are found to be infested with pests of 
quarantine concern or are otherwise non -compliant will be refused entry to Canada, and will be 
ordered removed from the country or destroyed . Infested  articles  may be ordered treated prior 
to disposal to prevent the spread of pests. The importer is responsible for all costs relating to 
treatment, disposal or removal of the articles , including  costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor 
the action taken. The CFIA will advise the N ational Plant Protection  Organization  (NPPO) of the 
country of origin and/or re -export ing country  of any non -compliance as per directive D-01-06: 
Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non -compliance and emergency action . 
 
7.0 References  
 
7.1 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 . 
 
7.2 Supporting documents  
 
Automated Import Reference  System (AIRS)  
 
D-08-04: Plant protection import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting  
 
D-11-01: Phytosanitary Requirements for Plants for Planting and Fresh Branches to Prevent the 
Entry and Spread of Anoplophora spp.  
 
D-13-03: Phytosanitary import requirements to prevent the introduction of Lobesia botrana, 
the European grapevine moth  
 
D-14-03: Phytosanitary import requirements for fresh and dried branches, cut flowers and 
other plant parts for ornamental pur poses  
 
D-95-08: Phytosanitary import requirements for fresh temperate fruits and tree nuts  
 
Pest Risk Analysis: New fruits, vegetables and plants from new countries of origin  
 
RMD -09-01: Rubus stunt phytoplasma (RSP), the cause of Rubus stunt disease  February 4 , 2019  D-18-01 (Draft )  
 
  
 Page 7 of 7 Appendix  1: List of countries auth orized to export  regulated articles  of Rubus  
and Ribes  spp. to Canada  
 
Regulated articles of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp. are permitted entry  to Canada  when originating  in 
any of the countries listed below.  Regulated articles must meet all import requirements 
outlined in this directive  and other requirements as specified in the CFIA’s Automated Import 
Reference System  (AIRS) .   
 
Regu lated articles  originating from al l other countries  are considered to be  Not Authorized 
Pending Pest Risk Analysis (NAPPRA)  and prohibited entry until a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) is 
completed . See the list of NAPPRA plants  for more  details.   
 
Note:   Regulated articles  that are prohibited entry to Canada from  a specific country are still 
considered to be prohibited entry when they are shipped to a third (approved)  country 
and cannot be imported into Canada via the approved  country regardless of how long 
they are grown in that approved  country.  
 
  
List of countries authorized to export  regulated articles of  Rubus  and Ribes  spp. to Canada  
Taxon Approved Countries of Origin  
Rubus spp. Continental United States  
Netherlands  
Germany  
Ribes spp. Continental United States