D-13-03 
Phytosanitary import requirements to prevent the 
introduction of Lobesia botrana , the European 
grapevine moth  
 
Effective date:   January 2, 2018  
(1st revision ) 
 
 
Subject  
  
This directive provides the phytosanitary import requirements  for fresh fruits and plants 
for planting  to prevent  the introduction of Lobesia botrana , the European grapevine 
moth, into Canada.  
 
The following changes were made as part of this revision:  
 Following the eradication of L. botrana  in the United States, this country h as been 
removed from the list of regulated cou ntries in Annex 2 .  
 The following taxa, both fruits and plants, have been removed from the list of 
regulated articles in Annex 1  as they have been  re-evaluated as posing a relatively 
low risk for the introduction of L. botrana  into Canada: Actinidia  spp. (kiwi), Berberis 
vulgaris  (European barberry), Diospyros kaki  (persimmon), Punica granatum 
(pomegranate), Ziziphus jujube  (Chinese date).  
 Cut plant  material (e.g. for consumption or deco rative purposes ) of regulated host 
taxa is now exempt from requirements for L. botrana .  
 For plants for planting, the requirement for a pest -free area, systems approach or 
fumigation has been replaced with a requireme nt for an additional declaration 
stating the plants have been inspected and found free from flowers, fruits and L. 
botrana . These measures are considered sufficient to mitigate the risk of L. botrana  
being introduced through this pathway, based on a review  of the scientific 
literature.  
 For fresh fruit, the wording of the additional declarations for pest -free a reas and 
systems approaches has  been modified.  
 
   
 
January 2, 2018     D-13-03 (1st revision ) 
 
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  The fumigation schedules for fresh fruit have been moved from the appendices of 
this directive to a  stand -alone webpage referenced in the directive.  The f umigation 
schedules  for fresh blueberries and grapes  have been modified and equivalent 
schedules in the United States Department of Agriculture Treatment Manual have 
been noted.  
 Various editorial chang es have been made to improve the clarity of the text.  
 
 
This document  supersedes all previous versions of directive D -13-03. 
 
 
   
 
January 2, 2018     D-13-03 (1st revision ) 
 
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 Table of contents  
 
1.0 Legislative authority  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 4 
2.0 Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms  ................................ ................................ .. 4 
3.0 Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
4.0 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  5 
4.1 Regulated pests  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5 
4.2 Regulated articles  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 
4.3 Articles exempted fro m requirements under this directive  ................................  5 
4.4 Regulated areas  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5 
5.0 Import requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 6 
5.1 Requirements by type of article  ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
5.2 Systems approach  ................................ ................................ ................................  7 
5.3 Pest -free area  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  7 
5.4 Fumigation ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  8 
5.5 Visual inspection of plants for planting ................................ ................................  8 
6.0 Non -compliance  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  8 
7.0 References  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  8 
7.1 Fees  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  8 
7.2 Supporting documents  ................................ ................................ .........................  9 
Annex 1:  Plant taxa regulated for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine moth)  .........  10 
Annex 2:  Countries regulated for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine moth) under 
directive D -13-03 ................................ ................................ ............................  12 
Appendix 1:  Countries and articles for which the CFIA has accepted a systems approach 
for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine moth)  ................................ ...... 13 
Appendix 2:  Countries for which the CFIA has recognized a pest -free area for Lobesia 
botrana  (European grapevine moth)  ................................ .........................  14 
 
   
 
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 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 the prese nt 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 . 
 
3.0 Introduction  
 
Lobesia botrana , the European grapevine moth,  is a significant pest of grapes  and 
reduces both grape yields and quality . The larvae feed directly on both flowers and fruit ; 
fruit feeding increases susceptibility to fruit rots caused by fungi such as  Aspergillus spp. 
and Botrytis cinerea .  
 
Lobesia  botrana  is a polyphagous insect with  a wide range of alternate hosts, allowing it 
to survive  during periods whe n grapes are not available for feeding.  
 
Lobesia  botrana  can be transported over long distances , most commonly as eggs or 
larvae within fruits , fruit clusters  and flowers  of host plants . This insect is difficult to 
detect by visual inspection.   
 
Lobesia  botrana  is a quarantine pest for Canada and several other countries, including 
the United States and Mexico.  After being found in California in 2009, L. botrana  was 
eradicated from the United States in 2016.  Lobesia  botrana  is present in  most  of Europe, 
Nort h Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Argentina, Chile  and Kenya .  
 
Lobesia  botrana  could survive in Canada’s major grape -growing areas  (southern Ontario 
and parts of British Columbia) where it is anticipated that it would have a significant 
negative  impact on  grape production . If this insect were to establish  in Canada , it could  
also impact  Canada’s ability to export L. botrana  host articles  to countries where  L. 
botrana  is a regulated  pest.  
 
   
 
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 4.0 Scope  
 
4.1 Regulated pests  
 
Lobesia botrana  (Denis and Schiff ermüller) 
 
Common names: European grapevine moth, grape berry moth, grape fruit moth, vine 
moth, grape vine moth, Mediterranean vine moth, grape leaf -roller, grape moth . 
 
4.2 Regulated articles  
 
All fresh fruits and plants  intended  for planting of the taxa lis ted in Anne x 1. 
 
4.3 Articles exempted from requirements under this directive     
 
Note:  The following articles are exempt only from the requirements in this directive 
and may be subject to other requirements , includin g prohibitions . Please consult 
the list of all Plant Health directives  and the CFIA’s Automated Import Reference 
System  (AIRS) or contact the CFIA for details.  
    
 In vitro plants.  
 Olive fruit ( Olea europaea ). 
 Seeds and n uts of host taxa (e.g. almonds).  
 Sprouted seeds of host taxa intended  for consumption.  
 Cut flowers, leaves and branches , including  of the taxa listed in Annex 1 , intended 
for any purpose  other than planting/ propagation . 
 Articles that have been processed  in a way that precludes i nfestation  with L. 
botrana  (e.g.  sliced, peeled, pureed, cooked, pickled, canned, frozen, dried , roasted,  
pasteurized ). This includes all dried fruit, as well as  grape  must, grape pomace  and 
wine .  
 
4.4 Regulated areas  
 
Articles from t he countries listed in Annex  2 are subject to the requirements in this 
directive  due to the presence of L. botrana . This list may change at any time based on 
new information and articles  imported to Canada must always be free from L. botrana  
rega rdless of  country of origin.    
 
January 2, 2018     D-13-03 (1st revision ) 
 
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Regulated articles that are  re-exported to Canada  via a third country  must meet 
Canada’s import requirements for the country of origi n.   
 
5.0 Import requirements   
 
5.1 Requirements by type of article  
 
Note:  This directive describes  the import  requirements related to L. botrana . Other 
phytosanitary requirements , including prohibitions,  may also apply. Please 
consult the list of all Plant Health directives  and the CFIA’s Automated Import 
Reference System  (AIRS) or contact the CFIA for details.  
 
Phytosanitary import re quirements for articles regulated for Lobesia botrana  
Article  Requirements  
Fresh fruit of the following 
taxa : 
 Prunus  spp.  (stone fruit ) 
 Ribes spp. ( e.g. currants, 
gooseberries)  
 Rubus caesius  (European 
dewberries ) 
 Rubus fructicosus  
(European blackberries ) 
 Vaccinium spp.  (e.g. 
blueberries)  other than 
V. macrocarpon  and V. 
oxycoccos  (cranberries ) 
 Vitis  spp.  (grapes)1 One of the following options must be met:  
1. Production under a CFIA -accepted  systems approach (see 
section 5. 2). A phytosanitary certificate is required, with the 
following additional declaration :  
“The consignment was produced and prepared for export 
under a CFIA -accepted system s approach for Lobesia 
botrana .” 
or 
2. Production in a CFIA -recognized  pest -free area  (see section 
5.3). A phytosanitary certificate is required, with the following 
additional declaration : 
“The consignment was produced in a CFIA -recognized pest -
free area for Lobesia botrana .”  
or 
3. Fumigation  with methyl bromide (see section 5. 4). A 
phytosanitary certificate is required, with the fumigation 
details indicated in the appropriate section .  
                                                 
1 Note:  The s ystems approach requirements for bulk grapes intended for processing may 
be different from those  for table grapes intended for direct consumption .   
 
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 The schedules are specified in Treatment schedules for 
horticulture products : 
 Schedule 9: Vitis  spp. fruit (grapes)  
 Schedules 10 -13: Vaccinium  spp. fruit (e.g. blueberries)  
 Schedule 2: o ther regulated fruit  
Plants  intended  for planting  
of the taxa  listed in Annex  1  The articles must be free from fruits , flowers  and L. botrana  (see 
section 5. 5). The phytosanitary certificate must include the 
following additional declaration:  
“The articles were  inspected and found free from  fruits, flowers 
and Lobesia botrana .” 
 
5.2 Systems approach  
 
Regulated article s may be imported under  a CFIA -accepted  systems approach  that 
conforms to internationa l guidelines as per ISPM 14: The use of integrated measures in 
a systems approach for pest risk management . 
 
The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country  must 
submit a  written description of the systems approach to the CFIA for review to  
determine whether it meets Canada’s import requirements. The CFIA will  review the 
systems approach proposal and communicate  the results  in writing to the NPPO.   
 
Appendix  1 lists the countries  and specific commodities for which t he CFIA  has accepted 
a systems approach  for L. botrana .    
 
5.3 Pest -free area  
 
The NPPO of a  regulated  exporting country may determine that certain portions of its 
territo ry are free from L. botrana , as per  ISPM 4: Requirements for the establishment of 
pest free areas . The NPPO must provide the CFIA with information demonstrating that 
the ISPM  4 guidelines  have been  met. The CFIA will review the  information  provided  as 
per ISPM 29: Recognition of pest free areas and areas of low pest prevalence  and will 
communicate the results in writing to the NPPO.    
 
Appendix 2  lists the countries for which the CFIA has recognized a pest -free area for L. 
botrana . 
 
   
 
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 5.4 Fumigation  
 
The only treatment currently approved by the CFIA for L. botrana  is fumigation with 
methyl bromide  as per  schedule 2 and  9 through 1 3 of Treatment schedules for 
horticulture products .  
 
Note:  As a signatory to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone 
Layer , Canada is phasing out the use of methyl bromide for quarantine purpose s. 
Exporting countries are encouraged to submit data supporting the effi cacy of 
alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation to the CFIA for review.  
 
5.5 Visual inspection  of plants for planting  
 
Visual inspection must verify freedom from fruits, flowers and all life stages of L. 
botrana .  
 
6.0 Non -compliance  
 
Imported articles  may be i nspected by the CFIA and must meet all requirements when 
reaching 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 may be ord ered removed from the country or destroyed . Infested 
shipments 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 in curred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken. The CFIA will 
advise the NPPO of the country of origin and/or re -export 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 regardin g fees, please contact your local CFIA office  or visit the 
CFIA’s Fees Notice  website . 
 
   
 
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 7.2 Supporting documents  
 
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 4: Requirements for the 
establishment of pest free areas . Internat ional Plant Protection Convention, 1996.  
 
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 14: The use of integrated 
measures in a systems approach for pest risk management . International P lant 
Protection Convention, 2002.  
 
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 29: Recognition of pest free 
areas and areas of low pest prevalence . International Plant Protection Conv ention, 
2007.  
 
   
 
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 Annex  1:  Plant taxa  regulated for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine 
moth)  
 
All fresh fruits (except olives) and plants for planting of the following taxa are regulated 
for Lobesia botrana . For more information, see Section 4.2: Regulated articles  and 
Section 4.3: Articles exempted . 
 
Plant taxa regulated for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine moth)  
Scientific name  Common name  
Clematis vitalba  old man ’s beard  
Daphne gnidium  spurge flax  
Galium mollugo   false baby’s breath  
Hypericum calycinum  great St. John’s Wort  
Ligustrum vulgare  European privet  
Olea europaea  olive (except olive fruit)  
Prunus  spp.  all species in Prunus  genus, including but not li mited 
to: almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, plum, peach 
and their hybrids  
Rhus glabra  smooth sumac  
Ribes spp. all species in Ribes  genus, including but not limited to:  
currant, gooseberry  
Rosmarinus officinalis  rosemary  
Rubus caesius  European dewber ry 
Rubus fructicosus  European blackberry  
Silene vulgaris  bladder campion  
Trifolium pratense  red clover  
Urginea maritima  sea squill    
 
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 Scientific name  Common name  
Vaccinium spp. other than  
Vaccinium macrocarpon  and  
Vaccinium oxycoccos  all species in  Vaccinium  genus  other than cranb erry, 
including but not limited to: blueberry , lingonberry, 
bilberry, deerberry  
Vitis spp. grape, grapevine  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
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 Annex  2:  Countries  regulated for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine 
moth) under directive D -13-03 
 
Regulated a rticles from the countries in the following list are subject to the 
requirements in directive D -13-03 due to the presence of L. botrana . This list may 
change at any time based on new information and products imported to Canada must 
always be free from L. botrana  regar dless of countr y of origin.  
 
Note that the articles regulated in D-13-03 may not all be authorized  entry into Canada 
from the countries below. For complete import requirements, including prohibitions, 
see the list of all Plant Health directives  and the CFIA’s Automated Import Reference 
System  (AIRS) . 
 
 Albania  
 Algeria  
 Argentina  
 Armenia  
 Austria  
 Azerbaijan  
 Belgium  
 Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  
 Bulgaria  
 Chile  
 Croatia  
 Cyprus  
 Czech Republic  
 Denmark  
 Egypt  
 Ethiopia  
 France   Georgia  
 Germany  
 Greece  
 Hungary  
 Iran 
 Iraq 
 Israel  
 Italy  
 Jordan  
 Kazakhstan  
 Kenya  
 Kosovo  
 Lebanon  
 Libya  
 Lithuania  
 Luxemburg  
 Macedonia  
 Malta   Moldova  
 Montenegro  
 Morocco  
 Poland  
 Portugal  
 Russia  
 Serbia  
 Slovakia  
 Slovenia  
 Spain  
 Switzerland  
 Syria  
 Tajikistan  
 Turkey  
 Turkmenistan  
 Ukraine  
 United Kingdom  
 Uzbekistan
 
 
 
 
   
 
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 Appendix  1: Countries  and articles  for which the CFIA has a ccepted  a 
systems approach for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine 
moth)  
 
 
Please see Section 5. 2: Systems approach  for information on request ing CFIA acceptance 
of a systems approach.  
 
 
   CFIA -accepted sys tems approaches for Lobesia botrana  
Country  Article  (fresh fruit)  
Argentina    Prunus avium  (cherries)  
 Prunus domestica  (plums)1 
 Prunus persica  (peaches)1 
 Vaccinium  spp. (blueberries)  
 Vitis  spp. (grapes)  
Chile  All fruits listed  in Annex  1 of D -13-031  
Italy   Prunus domestica , Prunus salicina (plums)1  
 Vitis spp. (grapes)  
Spain  Prunus  spp. other than P. avium  and P. cerasus  
(stone fruit  other than  cherries )2 
 
1 These systems approaches may  not be used f or stone f ruit other than cherries ( Prunus  
spp. other than P. avium  and P. cerasus ) when destined to British Columbia.  
2 This systems approach may be used for stone fruit other than cherries destined to 
British Columbia.  
 
   
 
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 Appendix  2: Countries  for which the CFIA has recognized a pest -free area 
for Lobesia botrana  (European grapevine moth)  
 
 
At this time, the CFIA has not recognized any pest -free areas for Lobesia botrana  
(European grapevine moth). Please see Section 5. 3: Pest -free area  for information on 
requesting CFIA  recognition of a pest -free area.