Page 1 of 25
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
59 Camelot DriveOttawa, (Ontario), CanadaK1A 0Y9  (Tel:  613-225-2342;  FAX:  613-228-6602) D-08-04
EFFECTIVE DATE
, 2008
(Original)
Title:  Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting
Subject
This directive contains the general import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting
from all countries to prevent the entry and spread of regulated plant pests. Additionalrequirements specific to certain plant genera and certain pest species may apply. These may befound in various pest specific, or plant specific policy directives.
This policy directive was developed to consolidate, clarify and summarize Canada’s general plant
health import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting.  Previously, these requirementswere found in a number of directives and other documents and it was difficult for importers, theCanadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) staff a nd other stakeholders to obtain an overview of
the requirements.  This directive also provides clarification on the interpretation of country oforigin.
In future revisions of this directive, Appendix 2 is expected to be expanded to include lists of
plant taxa originating from specific countries that are approved for importation. October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 2 of 25Table of Contents
R e v i e w ...................................................................... 3
Endorsement ................................................................. 3
A m e n d m e n t  R e c o r d ............................................................ 3D i s t r i b u t i o n .................................................................. 3Introduction .................................................................. 3
S c o p e ................................................................. 4R e f e r e n c e s ............................................................. 4Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................... 6
1 . 0 G e n e r a l  R e q u i r e m e n t s .................................................... 6
1.1 Legislative Authorities .............................................. 6
1 . 2 F e e s ............................................................ 6
2 . 0 S p e c i f i c  R e q u i r e m e n t s .................................................... 7
2 . 1 R e g u l a t e d  P e s t s ................................................... 72.2 Regulated Commodities ............................................. 7
2.3 Commodities not Regulated by this Directive ............................ 7
2 . 4 R e g u l a t e d  A r e a s................................................... 8
3 . 0 I m p o r t  R e q u i r e m e n t s ..................................................... 8
3 . 1 G e n e r a l  R e q u i r e m e n t s  f o r  P l a n t s  f o r  P l a n t i n g ............................ 83.2 Country of Origin ................................................. 1 0
3.3 Specific Requirements for Plants for Planting ........................... 1 2
3 . 4 P a c k i n g  M a t e r i a l ................................................. 1 83.5 Plants in Association with Forest Products ............................. 1 9
4 . 0 I n s p e c t i o n  R e q u i r e m e n t s ................................................. 1 95 . 0 N o n - C o m p l i a n c e ....................................................... 1 96 . 0 A p p e n d i c e s............................................................ 1 9
A p p e n d i x  1 :  I n f o r m a t i o n  o n  E n v i r o n m e n t  C a n a d a  r e q u i r e m e n t s................. 1 7Appendix 2: List of Recognized Countries of Export ......................... 1 8
A p p e n d i x  3 : T r e a t m e n t s  f o r  P e a t  M o s s .................................... 1 8Appendix 4: United States Greenhouse Certification Program (USGCP) .......... 1 9October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 3 of 25Review
This directive will be reviewed every five (5) years unless otherwise needed.  The next review
date is October 28, 2013.  The contact for this directive is  Joanne Rousson.  For further
information or clarification, please contact the CFIA.
Endorsement
Approved by:
                                                       
Chief Plant Health Officer
Amendment Record
Amendments to this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below.
Distribution
1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA, USDA)
2. Provincial Government, Industry (via Areas)3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)4. Internet
Introduction
The importation of rooted and unrooted plants and pl ant parts from all countries of origin present
a potential threat to Canada’s plant resources, environment, and economy.  Trade in plants forplanting is a common pathway by which numerous plant pests could be introduced and spreadwithin Canada.  Other primary pathways for the introduction of plant pests include: soil andrelated matter, soil-free growing media that is associated with plants for planting and packingmaterials.
For many years, many plants for planting have been imported from off-continent sources without
undergoing a formal Pest Risk Analysis (PRA). Hi storically, this plant material was imported in
relatively low volumes, and from a very limited number of traditional sources in Europe.However, in recent decades, Canada and other countries have developed a large number of newtrading partners and the volume of plant imports from both new and traditional sources has beenincreasing. The pest risk associated with these new pathways should be evaluated before permitsto import are issued. October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 4 of 25Note: The CFIA is currently developing a policy to regulate plants that could be considered as
pests because of their invasive nature. A directive that will collate specific requirements for thoseplants is currently under development and will be referred to once published.
Scope This directive provides an overview of the main plant protection requirements that
Canadian importers and foreign exporters must comply with prior to importingplant material to Canada. Other directives for specific commodities, pests andorigins may be applicable.  This directive is to be used as a general guide forCanadian  importers, foreign exporters, shippers and brokers, CFIA inspectors, Canada Border Services Agency and National Plant Protection Organizations. 
References CFIA, 2008. Plant Health Glossary of Terms,
 www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/glosterme.shtml
FAO, 1995. Requirements for the Establishment of Pest Free Areas. ISPM 4.
Rome, 1995. 
FAO, 1997. Guidelines for Surveillance. ISPM 6. Rome, 1997.
 
FAO, 1999. Requirements for the Establishment of Pest Free Places of Productionand Pest Free Productions Sites. ISPM 10. Rome, 1999. 
FAO, 2002. The Use of Integrated Measures in a Systems Approach for Pest Risk
Management. ISPM 14. Rome, 2002 
FAO, 2003. Guidelines on Lists of Regulated Pests. ISPM 19. Rome, 2003. FAO, 2004. Pest Risk Analysis for Quarantine Pests, Including Analysis of 
Environmental Risks and Living Modi fied Organisms. ISPM 11. Rome, 2004. 
FAO, 2007. Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. ISPM 5. Rome, 2007. FAO, 2007. Guidelines for Pest Risk Analysis. ISPM 2. Rome,1995. NAPPO, 2005. Guidelines for the Development and Amendment of NAPPO
Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. RSPM No. 6. 
NAPPO, 2005, Integrated Pest Risk Management Measures for the Importation of
Plants for Planting into NAPPO Member Countries. RSPM No. 24. 
NAPPO 2008, NAPPO Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. RSPM N0. 5.D-94-14: Permit to Import Requirements for Plant Material from the ContinentalOctober 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 5 of 25United States. 
D-95-26: Phytosanitary Requirements for Soil and Related Matter, Alone or inAssociation with Plants. 
D-96-20: Canadian Growing Media Progr am, Prior Approval Process and Import
Requirements for Plants Rooted in Approved Media. 
D-97-04: Application, Procedures, Issuance and Use of a Permit to Import Under
the Plant Protection Act. 
D-01-02: Import Requirements for Packages of Flower Bulbs Purchased in The
Netherlands by Travellers Returning to or Visiting Canada. 
D-02-12: Import Requirements of Non-Manufactured Wood and Other
Non-Propagative Wood Products, Except Solid Wood Packaging Material, FromAll Areas Other Than the Continental United States. 
CFIA policy directives are available at: 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/directe.shtml
. 
Requirements are also available on the CFIA web site under Automated Import
Reference System (AIRS) at the following address:http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/AIRS/airs_decisions.asp?l=E
. 
This document supercedes the following:
D-02-02 (2nd Revision), Plant protection imports requirements for rooted, or
unrooted plants, plant parts, and plants in vitro  for planting, April 16, 2003. 
D-96-09 (2nd Revision), Plant Protection Import Requirements for Orchid Plants, 
February 14, 2002. 
D-01-03 (1st Revision), Plant Protection Requirements for Importations of
Houseplants Intended for Personal Use from the Continental United States andHawaii, March 26, 2002.
D-03-05 (Original) , Plant protection Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Oak
(Quercus  spp.) Nursery Stock From Sources Outside of the Continental United
States, July 21, 2003.
D-03-04 (Original),  Plant Protection Phytosanitary Import Requirements for
Maple ( Acer  spp.) Nursery Stock From Sources Outside of the Continental UnitedOctober 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 6 of 25States, April 6, 2006.
D-03-03 (Original) , Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Ash ( Fraxinus  spp.)
Nursery Stock From Sources Outside of the Continental United States, July 21,2003.
D-03-10 (Original), Prohibitions and Restrictions of Importation into Canada of
Decorative Chaenomeles  (Flowering Quince), Malus  (Apple and Crabapple),
Prunus  (stone fruits, e.g. cherry), Pyrus  (pear) and Salix  (willow) Branches,
September 20, 2003.
Memorandum 886.1B7 (Original) , Importation of Pollen, May 4, 1987.
Notice to importer No. L18A/90-03-30 (Original) , Plant protection import
requirements for orchid plants, cuttings or tissue culture.
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms
Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossary of
Terms at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/glosterme.shtml
1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authorities
The Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c.22
The Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part 1 (05/13/2000)
/2005-220
1.2 Fees
The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees
Notice.   For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact
the Import Service Centres (ISC) at the following phone numbers: Eastern ISC 1-877-493-0468; Central ISC 1-800-835-4486; Western ISC 1-888-732-6222.  Anyone
requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit our
Fees Notice Web Site :http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/reg/ cfiaacia/feesfrais/feesfraise.shtml
2.0 Specific Requirements
2.1 Regulated PestsOctober 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 7 of 25A list of Canadian Regulated Pests can be found through the CFIA’s website at:           
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/listpespare.shtml 
2.2 Regulated Commodities
• rooted and unrooted plants and plant parts which may be used for propagation
(including orchid plants, artificially dwarfed plants (bonsai, penjing), houseplants,plants in vitro, etc.);
• bulbs and other below ground plant parts for planting (that are not intended for
consumption);
• living mosses;
• fresh decorative branches of species listed in Section 3.3 ;
• epiphytic plants;• pollen (intended for propagation); and• packing material associated to plants for planting.
Other commodity or pest-specific requirements may apply and are provided in separate
policy directives. For example, Chaenomeles  (hawthorn), Cydonia  (quince), Malus
(apple and crabapple), Prunus  (stone fruits), Pyrus  (pear) and Vitis (grapevine) must
originate from sources approved under the CF IA’s virus certification programs for fruit
trees and grapevines and are subject to additional pathogen certification requirements.For further information, please contact your local CFIA Office or visit the CFIA websiteat http://www.inspection.gc.ca.
2.3 Commodities not Regulated by this Directive
• cut flowers;
• fresh decorative branches of species othe r than those identified specifically in this
directive;
• cut Christmas trees;• dried plant material;• flower bulbs intended for personal use that are purchased in The Netherlands by
travellers returning to or visiting Canada, as per directive D-01-02;
• bulbs and other below ground plant parts intended for consumption, • fresh fruit, rootcrops, and vegetables for consumption;• seeds (tree, shrub, flower, herb, vegetable, cereal and grain);• nuts and seeds for consumption;• sprouted seeds for consumption;• potatoes (for propagation and consumption);• pollen for purposes other than propagation (for human consumption, or for honey
bees or other insects);
• raw wood and raw wood products (wood, logs, roots, wooden stakes, bark, bark
chips, wood chips, mulch, hog fuel, etc.);October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 8 of 25• bamboo stakes; and
• growing media.
2.4 Regulated Areas
All countries
3.0 Import Requirements:
3.1 General Requirements for Plants for Planting
Consignments of plants for planting must be free of quarantine and regulated non-
quarantine pests. Any other pests found on imported consignments may be evaluated forquarantine status.
Plants for planting may also be subject to additional requirements depending on the
species and country or region of origin. Any additional requirements will be specified inthe associated pest or commodity specific policy directive. The importer must ensure thatthe consignment is in compliance with all Canadian Import requirements. When an
import permit is required, the importer must ensure to obtain one prior to shipping.
A Phytosanitary Certificate is required for all plants for planting entering Canada .
The Phytosanitary Certificate is issued by the National Plant Protection Organization(NPPO) in the exporting country and must list each of the plants in the consignment. Theplants must be identified using accepted scientific names to, at least, the genus level.Certain plants for planting must be identified to species or even to cultivar. The list ofplants on the Phytosanitary Certificate should match the packing list for the importedmaterial. If presenting paperwork to an Import Service Centre (ISC) for clearance, a faxof the top, signed copy of the Phytosanitary Ce rtificate must be sent along with the other
paperwork.
Official attachments to the Phytosanitary Certificate should be limited to those instances
where the information required to complete the certificate exceeds the available space onthe certificate. Any attachments containing phytosanitary information should bear thePhytosanitary Certificate number, and should be dated, signed and stamped by the issuingNPPO. The Phytosanitary Certificate should indi cate, in the appropriate section, that the
information belonging in that section is contained in the attachment and it shouldreference the attachment by a serial number or other unique identifier.  October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 9 of 25CFIA reviews each application for a Permit to Import that is submitted to the permit
office. CFIA will notify the applicant if the importation of a particular plant taxon from a
particular origin is classified as  "Not Authorized Pending PRA (NAPPRA)".  If this is
the case, CFIA will require a PRA as part of the process required to evaluate the importrequest.  A PRA will only be initiated once an application for a Permit to Import and thefees associated with both the permit and the PRA have been submitted to CFIA. 
The PRA process includes: assembling a list of organisms likely to be associated with the
pathway, identifying whether any of theses organisms are a regulatory concern, andevaluating the potential economic and environmental impact. The biology of the pestorganisms, including life cycles, geographical distributions, host ranges, habitats andassociations with plants for planting are all used to develop the PRA. Information aboutthe commodity, including production practices, pest management strategies, modes oftransport, and its intended end use are also essential  (ISPM No. 2 and 11).
The PRA is used to identify the pest risk associated with the pathway, evaluate potential
mitigation measures, and determine whether imports can be authorized. Ultimately, thePRA helps CFIA to determine whether a particular plant taxa should be prohibited entryto Canada from particular countries, or whether acceptable phytosanitary measures areavailable to mitigate the pest risk to an acceptable level. If a Permit to Import is issued, itwill include a description of any specific phytosanitary measures and any additionaldeclarations that are required. The importer must ensure that the consignment is incompliance with all requirements.
Phytosanitary risk mitigation measures may include one, or more of the following:• visual inspection;
• pest-specific sampling and testing;• treatment;• pest free area, based on official survey (ISPM No. 4, ISPM No. 6);• pest free place of production (ISPM No. 10);• plants for planting produced under a systems approach at an approved facility in
the exporting country (ISPM No. 14, RSPM No.24);
• plants for planting produced under a clean stock program in the exporting country
(ISPM No. 14, RSPM No.24);
• post-entry quarantine in Canada;• importation limited to in-vitro  plants;
• importation limited to seed;• pre-clearance by CFIA in the country of origin.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 10 of 25• pre-clearance by another NPPO as part of a bilateral agreement (e.g. Dutch Bulbs
Pre-Clearance Program)
Plants for planting that are prohibited entry to Canada, from countries other than the
continental U.S., are listed on the CFIA website at:http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/oper/prohibintere.shtml  
The CFIA is currently developing a policy to regulate plants that could be considered as
pests because of their invasive nature. A directive that will collate specific requirementsfor those plants is currently under development and will be referred to once published.
Additional requirements may also apply to plants with novel traits, including, but not
limited to, plants produced by recombinant DNA technology, mutagenesis or wild cross.Please refer to: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-96-13e.shtml forfurther information.
Environment Canada has additional requirements that may impact importations of plants
for planting, particularly plant taxa that are considered endangered or threatened, asoutlined by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Faunaand Flora (CITES). Please refer to Appendi x 1 to find out how to obtain additional
information.
3.2 Country of Origin
NOTE: The phytosanitary country of origin must be indicated on the phytosanitary
certificate that accompanies plant material entering Canada. The phytosanitary country oforigin of a plant may differ from its country of origin for the purposes of CITES,customs, duty, etc. 
CFIA considers plant material to originate from the exporting country, if: 
(1) it  was grown only in the exporting country, OR(2) it was actively grown in the exporting country for at least:- 16 weeks for woody nursery and greenhouse grown plants, and 
- 4 weeks for non-woody greenhouse grown plants 
after it entered the exporting country from another country.  October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 11 of 25Plants that have not been grown in the country of export for the required period of time
must declare all countries where they have been grown as the countries of origin.  Plantsfor planting that are prohibited or restricted  entry to Canada from a particular country
cannot be imported to Canada from a third country regardless of  how long they are
grown in that third country.  Plant material that is imported into the U.S. (or moved into
the continental U.S. from Hawaii) in association with growing media may never beexported to Canada, no matter how long it is grown in the United States (U.S.) unless itmeets the requirements of the Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP, D-96-20) at
the time of entry to the U.S.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 12 of 253.3 Specific Requirements for Plants for Planting
Commodity Originating from the Continental US Originating from outside the Continental US
3.3.1  Rooted Plants Without Soil, Related
Matter Or Growing Media (bare-root plants,
including bulbs and other below groundpropagative material)
• The exporting NPPO must ensure the
things are free of all growing media,soil and related matter.•A Permit to Import is not required unless specified in
policy directive D-94-14. The importer must obtain the
Permit to Import, if required, prior to importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment.Additional declarations attesting to freedom fromregulated pests, including soil pests, may be requireddepending on the commodity and state of origin; OR
•
Greenhouse plants imported under the United States
Greenhouse Certification Program may have a United
States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Export
Certification Label, in lieu of a Phytosanitary
Certificate (see Appendix 4) .•The importer must obtain a Permit to Import prior to
importation.
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Certificate,
which must accompany the consignment, attesting tofreedom from soil pests including: potato wart disease(Synchytrium endobioticum) , the potato cyst nematode
(Globodera rostochiensis  and G. pallida) and the soybean
cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines ). 
• Additional declarations attesting to freedom from other
regulated pests may be required depending on the commodityand country/region of origin.
•Acer , Fraxinus  and Quercus  may only be imported from
countries listed in Appendix 2.
•Fragaria , Ribes , Rubus  and Vaccinium  are classified as
NAPPRA and permit applications will be evaluated on acase-by case basis.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 13 of 25Commodity Originating from the Continental US Originating from outside the Continental US
3.3.2  Rooted Plants With Soil Or Related
Matter Or With Soil-Free Growing Mediaand not imported under the CanadianGrowing Media Program (includes bulbs and
other below ground propagative material).• A Permit to Import is not required unless specified in
policy directive D-94-14. The importer must obtain thePermit to Import, if required, prior to importation.
 • The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. Additional declarations attesting to freedom fromregulated pests, including soil pests, may be requireddepending on the commodity and state of origin. OR
•
Greenhouse plants imported under the United States
Greenhouse Certification Program may be
accompanied by a USDA-APHIS Export Certification
Label, in lieu of a Phytosanitary Certificate (seeAppendix 4)
.
The additional declarations for regulated soil pests can be
found in Appendix 2 of policy directive D-95-26.•Prohibited .October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 14 of 25Commodity Originating from the Continental US Originating from outside the Continental US
3.3.3  Rooted Plants With Soil-Free Growing
Media Imported Under the CanadianGrowing Media Program (includes bulbs and
other below ground propagative material)
•The Canadian Growing Media Program
(CGMP, D-96-20) allows for the entry ofgreenhouse-grown plants rooted in approvedsoil-free growing media. The programrequires prior approval for the productionfacility and all growing media, beforeimportation is authorized. Exporting plantproduction facilities must maintain conditionswhereby the exported plants and approvedmedia are free of plant pests and soil, andrelatively free of  other soil-inhabitingorganisms.• All material imported under the Canadian Growing
Media Program (CGMP) must meet the conditionsoutlined in policy directive D-96-20. 
• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import for ALL
plants imported under the CGMP prior to importation.
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment.The Phytosanitary Certificate must bear the appropriateAdditional Declaration for the CGMP, in addition toany others that may be necessary, depending on thecommodity and state of origin.  Additional Declarationsattesting to freedom from specific soil pests are notrequired.• All material imported under the Canadian Growing Media
Program (CGMP) must meet the conditions outlined inpolicy directive D-96-20. 
• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import for ALL plants
imported under the CGMP prior to importation.
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Certificate,
which must accompany the consignment. The PhytosanitaryCertificate must bear the appropriate Additional Declarationfor the CGMP, in addition to any others that may benecessary, depending on the commodity and country/regionof origin.  Additional Declarations attesting to freedom fromspecific soil pests are not required. 
•Fragaria , Ribes , Rubus  and Vaccinium  are classified as
NAPPRA, import requests will be evaluated on a case-bycase basis.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 15 of 25Commodity Originating from the Continental US Originating from outside the Continental US
3.3.4  Unrooted plants and plant parts, air-
layered plants and epiphytes     
• Unrooted plants and plant parts, air-layered
plants and epiphytes, which have NOT beengrown in association with growing media, soilor related matter are exempt from additionaldeclarations for soil pests.
• Examples of epiphytes include: Dendrobium ,
Polypodium , Tillandsia and many of the
Bromeliads.
• To be considered unrooted, plants and plant
parts must not exhibit any roots or root initialsat the time of export.• A Permit to Import is not required unless specified in
policy directive D-94-14. The importer must obtain thePermit to Import, if required, prior to importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment.
• The unrooted plants and plant parts must be free of soil
and related matter. Additiona l Declarations attesting to
freedom from regulated plant pests may be requireddepending on the commodity and state of origin.Additional Declarations attesting to freedom fromspecific soil pests are not required. 
OR
•
Greenhouse plants and nursery stock imported under
the Greenhouse Certification Program may have a
USDA-APHIS Export Certification Label, in lieu of aPhytosanitary Certificate.  (see Appendix 4).• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import prior to
importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Certificate,
which must accompany the consignment. 
• The unrooted plants and plant parts must be free of soil and
related matter. Additional decl arations attesting to freedom
from regulated plant pests may be required depending on thecommodity and country/region of origin. AdditionalDeclarations attesting to freedom from specific soil pests arenot required.
•Fragaria , Ribes , Rubus  and Vaccinium  are classified as
NAPPRA.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 16 of 25Commodity Originating from the Continental US Originating from outside the Continental US
3.3.5  Fresh Decorative Branches
•Salix (willow) , Chaenomeles  (hawthorn),
Cydonia  (quince), Malus  (apple and
crabapple), Prunus  (stone fruits), Pyrus  (pear),
Vitis (grapevine), Rutaceae (citrus), Dracaena ,
and Dieffenbachia .
• Decorative branches must be free of soil and
related matter. Salix (willow) , Chaenomeles  (hawthorn), Cydonia
(quince), Malus  (apple and crabapple), Prunus  (stone
fruits), Pyrus  (pear), Vitis (grapevine) 
• A Permit to Import is required. The importer must
obtain the Permit to Import prior to importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. 
• Additional declarations attesting to freedom from
regulated plant pests are required.
Rutaceae (citrus), Dracaena , and Dieffenbachia  do not
require a Permit to Import• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. Salix (willow) , Chaenomeles  (hawthorn), Cydonia  (quince),
Malus  (apple and crabapple), Prunus  (stone fruits), Pyrus
(pear) and Vitis (grapevine) decorative branches are prohibited.
Rutaceae (citrus), Dracaena  spp., and Dieffenbachia  spp.
• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import prior to
importation.
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Certificate,
which must accompany the consignment. 
• Additional declarations attesting to freedom from regulated
plant pests may be required depending on the commodity andcountry/region of origin.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 17 of 25Commodity Originating from the Continental US Originating from outside the Continental US
3.3.6  Plants in-vitro
• Plantlets must originate from mother plants
which are free of any plant pathogensregulated by Canada.
• Plantlets must be propagated in-vitro  in a
sterile medium under sterile conditions thatpreclude the possibility of infestation with anypests of quarantine concern to Canada. 
• Plantlets must be produced and shipped in
sealed, aseptic, transparent containers. 
•In-vitro  plants are exempt from additional
declarations for soil pests.• A Permit to Import is not required unless specified in
policy directive D-94-14. The importer must obtain thePermit to Import, if required, prior to importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment.Additional declarations attesting to freedom fromregulated plant pests may be required depending on thecommodity and state of origin.
OR•
Greenhouse plants and nursery stock imported under
the Greenhouse Certification Program may have a
USDA-APHIS Export Certification Label, in lieu of aPhytosanitary Certificate.  (see Appendix 4).• The importer must obtain the Permit to Import prior to
importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Certificate,
which must accompany the consignment. Additionaldeclarations attesting to freedom from regulated plant pestsmay be required depending on the commodity andcountry/region of origin.
•Fragaria , Ribes , Rubus  and Vaccinium  are classified as
NAPPRA.
3.3.7  Pollen for propagation • The importer must apply for a Permit to Import prior to
importation. Each application will be evaluated on acase-by-case basis.• The importer must apply for a Permit to Import prior to
importation. Each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 18 of 253.4 Packing Material
Plants for planting frequently enter Canada in association with packing material that is
intended to protect plants during shipping and maintain moisture around bare rootedplants or unrooted plants and plant parts. Plants must not be rooted in the packing
material.  Approved packing materials include the following: 
• Baked or expanded clay pellets 
• Cocoa peat (coconut husk pith or fibres) • Cork (ground cork) • Excelsior (or other very fine wood shavings)• Paper  • Peat • Perlite • Polyacrylamide (water absorbing polymers) • Rice chaff  • Rockwool • Vermiculite • Volcanic rock, volcanic ash or volcanic cinder
Other products or materials may be approved by the CFIA on a case-by-case basis. All of
the above materials must be free of soil and related matter.  These materials are notacceptable if they have been previously used for growing, rooting or packing plants orplant materials.  Packing cases for shipping any regulated plant commodity must be newand free of soil and related matter. 
Peat is the partially carbonised plant tissue, usually from mosses of the genus 
Sphagnum ,
formed by partial decomposition in acidic surface water. Peat moss is any moss ormosses ( Bryophyta ) which belong to a species known to be a significant component in
peat. 
Peat moss can only be used as a packing material if it has been either inspected by the
NPPO and found to be free of plant debris, soil and related matter; or dried; or treatedaccording to the requirements in Appendix 5. 
Note: When treatment is the only option  available, details must appear in the
Treatment section of the phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’sNPPO.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 19 of 253.5 Plants in Association with Forest Products
Untreated bark, bark chips, wood chips, hog fuel, logs, roots, wood, wood stakes,
bamboo stakes and any other raw wood is generally prohibited entry into Canada from allcountries other than the continental US and additional restrictions and declarations maybe required from those regions of the continental US that are regulated for specific pests. For further information, please refer to policy directive D-02-12.
4.0 Inspection Requirements
Plants for planting are subject to inspection and audit sampling on arrival in Canada to
ensure compliance with CFIA requirements, and to verify the absence of soil andregulated plant pests and the practical freedom from other plant pests.
Delays at port-of-entry, damage and subsequent loss to the importer may be minimized
if:
• Bare-root, woody stem plants are wrapped or packaged in an approved moisture-
retaining packaging that can be readily removed for inspection.
• Plant material (bulbs, tubers, etc.) are packaged in transparent plastic bags,
membranes or boxes with plastic window openings of a kind that can be readilyopened so as to minimize damage. 
• The wax used to prevent drying of plant tissues is transparent.
For further information, please contact your local CFIA Office or visit the CFIA website
at http://www.inspection.gc.ca.
5.0 Non-Compliance
Shipments that do not meet the import requirements of this directive may be refused entry,
returned to origin, or destroyed.  The importer is responsible for any and all costs relatingto treatment, disposal, removal or re-routing, including costs incurred by CFIA to monitorthe action taken. Notification of non-compliance to the exporting country may be issuedby the CFIA, as per D-01-06, Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for the Notification of
Non-Compliance and Emergency Action.
6.0 Appendices
Appendix 1: Information on Environment Canada requirements
Appendix 2: List of Recognized Countries of ExportAppendix 3: Treatments for Peat MossAppendix 4: United States Greenhous e Certification Program (USGCP)October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 20 of 25Appendix 1
Information on Environment Canada Requirements
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES)
Import and export of certain plant species must comply with requirements under the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES). CITES sets controls on the international trade and movement of animal andplant species that have been, or may be, threatened due to excessive commercialexploitation. Environment Canada is the lead agency responsible for implementing CITESon behalf of the Canadian federal government. Further information on CITES can befound at www.cites.ec.gc.ca
.
New Substances Notification Regulations (NSNR)
Environment Canada's "New Substances Notification Regulations" (NSNR) concern the
notification of substances new to Canada. They are intended to ensure that no newsubstance is introduced into the Canadian marketplace before an assessment has beencarried out to determine the risk posed to the environment and human health by thesubstance. The scope of this Regulation has been extended to include new species,including plants. If a species is not on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) and was notimported between 1984-1986, notification is required. Further information on NSNR canbe found at http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/nsb/eng/home_e.shtml
.
  October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 21 of 25Appendix 2
Lists of Recognized Countries of Export 
CFIA Recognized countries of export of Acer (Maple) 
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/acere.shtml) 
CFIA Recognized countries of export of Fraxinus (Ash) 
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/fraxe.shtml) 
CFIA Recognized countries of export of Quercus (Oak) 
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/quercuse.shtml) October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 22 of 25Appendix 3
Approved Treatments for Peat Moss
1. Dry Heat 
SampleTemperature
BC (BF )Exposure Period 
Minutes (Hours) 
Large:
more than 2.5 kg(5 lbs) 110-120
   (230-249 )
121-154   (250-309)155-192   (310-379) 193-220   (380-429) 221-232   (430-450) 960 (16 hrs)
120 (2 hrs)30 minutes4 minutes 2 minutes
Small:
less than2.5 kg(5 lbs)120   (250) 30 minutes
2. Steam Heat 
Pressure
kPa  (psi)Temperature
BC  (BF )Exposure Period
Minutes
104  (15) 117   (245) 30 minutes
The exposure period may not begin until the appropriate pressure has been reached.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 23 of 253. Methyl Bromide Fumigation  
(i) At normal atmospheric pressure
Sample Dosage
g/m3 (oz/1000ft3)Temperature
BC  (BF )Exposure Period
Hours
Large compact samples 368   (368) 16   (60) 16Large loose samples 240   (240) 16   (60) 24Small samples160   (160) 16   (60) 3
(ii) Vacuum Fumigation in 66cm (26in.) Vacuum *  
Dosage
g/m
3   (oz/1000ft3)Temperature
BC  (BF )Exposure Period Hours
128   (128)
165   (165)192    (192)4   (40)
4   (40) 4   (40)16128
*The peat moss must be friable, moist, but not wet, and containers should be open. The amount
of peat moss treated at one time must not exceed 30 cm in its smallest dimension.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 24 of 25Appendix 4
United States Greenhouse Certification Program (USGCP)
The United States Greenhouse Certification Program (US-GCP) is a USDA administered
program aimed at American greenhouse growers that export to Canada. The US-GCP allows
approved production facilities in the US to certify eligible plant material for export to the Canadawith an Export Certification Label (ECL), in  lieu of a USDA Phytosanitary Certificate.  
Only greenhouse plants that are considered to present a low phytosanitary risk are eligible to be
exported to Canada under the US-GCP.  Most temperate plants, such as woody perennials,herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees will not be eligible for certification under the US-GCP.Facilities that produce plants, which are considered to present a higher phytosanitary risk, maybe eligible to participate in the United States Nursery Certification Program (US-NCP), ratherthan the US-GCP.    
Each shipment of plants for planting exported to Canada from the U.S. must be accompanied by
either a traditional USDA Phytosanitary Certificate or an ECL. The ECL is used, in lieu of aUSDA Phytosanitary Certificate, to verify that the plant material in the consignment has beenproduced in conformance with the US-GCP and meets the import requirements of Canada. TheECL must be affixed to the airway bill, bill of lading, or another shipping document.
All plant material certified under the US-GCP must meet the following phytosanitary criteria:
• freedom from all quarantine pests and all regulated non-quarantine pests to Canada and
the US;
• practical freedom from non-regulated plant pests;• compliance with any pest-specific or commodity-specific phytosanitary requirements of
the CFIA and/or USDA;
• compliance with Canadian origin requirements; and• compliance with specific provincial requirements. 
Plant taxa that are eligible for certification under the CGCP include all plants commonly known
and recognized as greenhouse plants, except those that have been excluded by the CFIA. 
The U.S. production facility must be approved and in good standing under the US-GCP at the
time of shipping. All plants listed on the shipping documents must be covered by the ECLsaccompanying a consignment. The ECL must conform to the example provided below, and eachconsignment must have a separate ECL. If the documentation accompanying the shipment doesnot meet Canadian requirements then the shipment will be refused entry.October 28, 2008 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 25 of 25
Authentication 
Here is a sample ECL:
            
In this example the nursery’s identification number is prefaced by the two-letter State
abbreviation; “FL” standing for Florida.   Example is enlarged for viewing purposes.
The ECL is a white sticker approximately 9.5 cm x 4.5 cm in size.
Each ECL is pre-printed with a facility identification number. The first two letters of the
identification number represents the state where the approved facility is located.
Each ECL is also pre-printed with a unique serial number.Each label must also be pre-printed with the following: “This shipment of greenhouse grown
plants meets the import requirements of Canada and is believed to be free from injurious plantpests”; United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service;and the USDA seal. 
Canada does not accept hand written labels, serial numbers, or identification numbers.