Distribution: FGIS, OSP Originating Office: PPMAB, FMD

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Program Notice FGIS-PN-23-07 October 1, 2023

RESCINDING PROGRAM DIRECTIVE 9180.86 INSPECTION OF EXPORT SOYBEAN 

AND WHEAT LOTS FOR CANADA THISTLE DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Contents

1. PURPOSE.................................................................................................................... 1

2. BACKGROUND............................................................................................................ 1

3. EFFECTIVE DATE ....................................................................................................... 1

4. POLICY ........................................................................................................................ 1

5. PROCEDURE............................................................................................................... 1

6. QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................ 1

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, 

the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are 

prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public 

assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity

conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by 

program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,

audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 

720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program 

information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 and at 

any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. 

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 

FGIS PN-23-07 October 1, 2023

Page 1 

1. PURPOSE

This notice announces that Program Directive 9180.86 Inspection of Export Soybean 

and Wheat Lots for Canada Thistle dated February 27, 2019, is rescinded, and will be 

removed from the AMS-FGIS public website. FGIS is issuing this Program Notice to 

alert inspectors and industry about the change in Vietnam’s entry requirement.

2. BACKGROUND

Program Directive 9180.86 Inspection of Export Soybean and Wheat Lots for Canada 

Thistle dated February 27, 2019, established instructions for examining export soybean 

and wheat shipments to Vietnam for Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) seeds to comply 

with regulations by Vietnam prohibiting the entry of Canada thistle seeds. Effective 

September 29, 2023, Vietnam will no longer be regulating Canada thistle (Cirsium 

arvense). This species will be removed from Vietnam’s quarantine pest list. 

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

This program notice is effective October 1, 2023.

4. POLICY

Program Directive 9180.86 Inspection of Export Soybean and Wheat Lots for Canada 

Thistle dated February 27, 2019, is rescinded effective October 1, 2023. The directive 

will be removed from the FGIS public website as soon as practicable after that date.

5. PROCEDURE

Per APHIS guidance, the last day to look for Canada thistle is September 30, 2023. 

Beginning October 1, 2023, official personnel will no longer look for Canada thistle in 

lots of soybeans and wheat bound for Vietnam unless the load order requires such 

inspection. Accordingly, there is no need for certification of freedom from Canada thistle 

on or after that date. A phytosanitary certificate will still be required for export of wheat 

and soybeans to Vietnam, but it will no longer require the Canada thistle statement on 

the FGIS 921-2.

6. QUESTIONS

Direct any question regarding this procedure to the local field office or to Policies, 

Procedures, and Market Analysis Branch (PPMAB) at 

fgispoliciesproceduresmarketanalysisbranch@usda.gov.