Issue:
- Spring and late fall weather conditions will oftentimes create wet and muddy conditions in mill yards, storage areas, and trans-load facilities.
- Increased vigilance in export markets has resulted in non-compliance infractions.
- Phytosanitary Inspections as of late have resulted in quite a few shipments where mud and mud splatter have become problematic.
Guidance Document Attached:
- CFIA has no choice in making tough decisions on what they see as “excess” mud or splatter on export shipments during shipments – IF they don’t make those calls, the calls will be made by plant health inspectors on the other side of the water:
- The costs if intercepted offshore could be exceptionally high with shipments quarantined, destroyed, or turned back.
- All countries take strong actions against soil and mud on shipments and containers.
- CFIA has developed a guidance document with some pictures that may prove helpful.
Due Diligence Responsibility:
- For those shipments which are sent directly by the industry without a phytosanitary inspection, please keep in mind, you are fully responsible to ensure your shipments are free of pests, debris, and soil/mud to the standards as recommended by CFIA.
- For those shipments which are being inspected for a Phytosanitary Certificate, due diligence of checking in advance may save the shipment from being rolled over, or losing a sale.
- It is suggested that you also pass these Guidelines to your Trans-Load Facility.
- Containers have also been intercepted with mud, soil and debris both inside and out – with extreme and costly measures having been taken in those offshore markets.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your local CFIA office.
Thanx,
Brian Zak
Phytosanitary and Market Access Specialist
Canada Wood
