Certification Programs for Growers in Canada
Canada has led the world in the development and implementation of phytosanitary management system programs. It is the wave of the future for nurseries wanting to export their product, or move it inter-provincially. Phytosanitary management systems promise to be increasing prominent, especially in international trade, in the future.
The Clean Plants program utilizes and ISO-like systems approach to achieve nursery certification. As the name suggests, it is the objective of Clean Plants to produce plants that meet high phytosanitary standards that are completely free of all regulated pests and substantially free from all other insects and diseases.
Developed for nursery growers to minimize the risk of moving Cylindrocladium buxicola through the wholesale nursery system. This program is a way for nurseries to implement best practices, focusing on C. buxicola, before integrating into the full Clean Plants program.
Developed for nursery growers, particularly in BC, to minimize the risk of importing and moving Phytophthora ramorum, a fungus-like disease that is only identifiable through DNA testing. Starting in 2012, P. ramorum no longer operates as a stand-alone program. The P. ramorum program is now integrated as a module of the Clean Plants Program (Appendix 10).
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also has available other inspection programs for export, as well as plant-specific programs for pests. Following are the two main programs offered by CFIA.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also has available other inspection programs for export, as well as plant-specific programs for pests. Following are the two main programs offered by CFIA.
Canadian Nursery Certification Program (CNCP)
For exporters of nursery stock, this program is administered and audited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
For exporters of nursery stock, this program is administered and audited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Canadian Greenhouse Certification Program (CGCP)
For exporters of greenhouse plants, this program is administered and audited by the CFIA.
For exporters of greenhouse plants, this program is administered and audited by the CFIA.
CFIA also has systems-based programs in place for plants entering Canada in growing media and for imports of certain high-risk plants, such as Pelargonium. These programs are regulated by CFIA and are listed on the CFIA website here.
As much as possible, CFIA intends to modify pest-specific directives so that their special requirements can be included as modules to the CNCP or CGCP programs.
As much as possible, CFIA intends to modify pest-specific directives so that their special requirements can be included as modules to the CNCP or CGCP programs.