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I.  SUBJECT

This directive contains the conditions for entry of all dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials made from non-manufactured wood products originating in the People’s Republic of China (herein after called China) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), to prevent the entry and spread of the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis.

This directive supersedes D-98-10 (2^nd Revision).

II. BACKGROUND

This revision makes changes to the documentation required by Canada. An Exporter Declaration will no longer be mandatory for shipments that do not contain non-manufactured wood packing material. Shipments from Hong Kong with Fumigation Certificates issued by private companies endorsed by the government of Hong Kong will now be accepted. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will no longer accept phosphine gas treatment of non-manufactured wood. Any phosphine treated containers, i.e. containers with documentation stating treatment with phosphine or in which phosphine is detected, will not be inspected and may be denied entry into Canada or treated in accordance with Section X.

Canada has intercepted Asian Long-Horned Beetle entering the country with dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials made from non-manufactured wood products originating in China and HKSAR. Intercepting Asian Long-Horned Beetle, an insect pest which has the potential to cause severe damage to Canadian deciduous (maples, poplars, sycamore, elm, apple, willow, cherry) trees, in forested and urban settings, has highlighted a need for urgent action on all wooden packing material originating in China. A pest risk assessment, conducted by Canada, has indicated that because of favourable climatic conditions and suitable host species, the risk of establishment in Canada is high.

Canadian hardwood forests produce approximately $11 billion in wood products annually. Maple trees, which are a preferred host of Asian Long-Horned Beetle, produce $100 million worth of maple syrup annually. These resources are at risk if Asian Long-Horned Beetle becomes established in Canada.

These regulations are for all non-manufactured wood dunnage, crating and other wood materials used for or with shipping originating in China and HKSAR. D-98-08 (Plant Health and Production Division Directive on Import Requirements for Wood Dunnage, Pallets, Crating or Other Wood Packaging Materials) remains in effect for all other countries of origin.

III. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c 22
The Plant Protection Regulations, S.O.R./95-212
The Plant Protection Cost Recovery Fees Order, S.O.R./98-161

IV. REGULATED COMMODITIES

All types of non-manufactured wood used as dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials originating in China and HKSAR.

V. COMMODITIES EXEMPT

All manufactured wood used as dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials.

Wood particles such as sawdust or wood shavings, used as packaging materials.

VI. REGULATED PESTS

Asian Long-Horned Beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis)

In addition, Canada regulates the following pests in D-98-08:

Insects

Rosy gypsy moth (Lymatria mathrua)
Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar, Asian biotype)
Nun moth (Lymantria monacha)
Bark beetles (Ips typographus, Hylastes ater)
Boring beetles (Anoplophora spp., Callipogon relictus, Tetropium castania, Trichoferus campestris, Monochamus sp)
Wood boring wasps (Sirex noctilio)
Pine shoot beetle (Tomiscas piniperda)

Pathogens

Watermark disease of willow (Erwinia salicis)
Bacterial canker of poplar (Xanthomonas populi)
Oak Wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum)
Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi)
Scleroderris canker (Gremmeniella abietina)
Phytophthora sp. of alder

All other pests listed in Canada’s list of regulated pests.

Note: Some of the above pests may not occur in China or HKSAR.

VII. REGULATED AREAS

China and HKSAR.

VIII. MOVEMENT REQUIREMENTS OR PROHIBITIONS

1. UNTREATED NON-MANUFACTURED WOOD

Prohibited.

2. TREATED NON-MANUFACTURED WOOD

All non-manufactured wood used as dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials originating in China or HKSAR must undergo kiln drying, fumigation or treatment with preservatives at the prescribed rates as outlined in Appendix 1, before leaving China or HKSAR. The treatment applied must be stated on the Phytosanitary Certificate or fumigation certificate. While awaiting shipment, dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials must be stored in a fashion that will prevent infestation of the above mentioned materials by plant pests.

2.1 A Permit to Import is NOT required.

2.2 A Phytosanitary Certificate or a Fumigation/Disinfection Certificate issued by the official plant protection organization of China or HKSAR is required and the certificate must be attached to the ship’s manifest, bill of lading or other shipping document (e.g. invoice). CFIA will accept private Fumigation Certificates which have been endorsed by the Hong Kong phytosanitary authorities and issued by the private fumigation companies listed in Appendix 3. The Phytosanitary Certificate or the Fumigation/Disinfection Certificate must certify that the conditions specified in this directive have been met. (See Appendix 4 and 5 for examples of these certificates).

2.3 All wood dunnage used on marine vessels which meets the above requirement can be maintained at the Canadian sea port site in areas designated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for reuse as dunnage on outgoing ships. Such dunnage must meet the import requirements of the receiving country. All dunnage not meeting these standards or found to be infested with insects, signs of living pests or bark must be treated or disposed of in a manner approved of by the CFIA, as indicated in writing on the Notice of Treatment disposition or the Notice of Detention.

2.4 No wood dunnage material can be removed from the designated sea port site for use within Canada without the written authorization of the CFIA (ie. accompanied by a Movement Certificate).

3. MANUFACTURED WOOD OR NON-WOOD MATERIAL

3.1 A Permit to Import is not required.

3.2 Phytosanitary certificate is not required.

4. PRESENTATION OF DOCUMENTS

The above mentioned documents (i.e. Phytosanitary Certificate or Fumigation/Disinfection Certificate or in the of case of HKSAR, a government endorsed private Fumigation Certificate) must be presented to a CFIA inspector prior to the arrival of the shipment (e.g. container) in Canada.

IX. INSPECTION PROCEDURES

1. While reviewing the shipping documents (e.g., ship’s manifest), plant protection inspectors will be looking for either a Phytosanitary Certificate or a Fumigation/Disinfection Certificate or a government endorsed private Fumigation Certificate, referred to in section VIII.

2. CFIA inspectors must ensure that

A Phytosanitary Certificate or Fumigation/Disinfection Certificate issued by the official plant protection organization in China or HKSAR or private Fumigation Certificate endorsed by the HK government, referred to in Subsection VIII 1.2, accompanies the non-manufactured wood packing materials and states that the materials have been treated as specified in Appendix 1; and

X. NON-COMPLIANCE

Any non-manufactured wood packing material found in non-compliance with these requirements will be ordered removed from Canada pursuant to Section 8 of the Plant Protection Act or ordered treated or disposed of in a manner approved by a CFIA inspector as specified in Appendix 1 or 2 within the period of time specified by the inspector.

Any shipments containing material not meeting the requirements as outlined in this directive may be seized or denied entry into Canada or ordered treated or disposed in a manner and location prescribed by the CFIA.

Any costs incurred are the responsibility of the importer. Any CFIA actions associated with shipments found not in compliance with CFIA import requirements will be subject to an hourly rate of $86. Refer to the cost recovery regulations for additional information.

XI. DEFINITIONS

WOOD DUNNAGE - wood used to wedge or support cargo.

WOOD PACKING MATERIALS - wood materials used in supporting, protecting or carrying cargo, including but not limited to: dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases, spools and skids.

MANUFACTURED WOOD - wood-based products which have been processed using wood glue, heat and compression, including but not limited to: plywood, veneer, fibre board, particle board, oriented strand board and wafer board.

NON-MANUFACTURED WOOD - raw form of wood which is derived directly from the tree and has undergone only primary alterations, i.e., debarking, sawing, shaping, etc.

XII. FEES

The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Plant Protection Cost Recovery Fees Order. For information regarding fees associated with imported products, 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.

XIII. LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1 - Treatment For Wood
Appendix 2 - Disposal of Wood
Appendix 3 - Approved Hong Kong Fumigation Companies
Appendix 4 - Phytosanitary Certificate
Appendix 5 - Fumigation/Disinfection Certificate

Robert Carberry
Director
Plant Health and Production Division

Attachments