The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a three-year agri-food pilot to reduce grade verification inspection rates for bulk shipments of apples grown and imported directly from the United States. Apples in containers greater than 200 kg (440 lbs.) that are subject to CFIA’s Ministerial Exemption Procedures will see reduced grade verification inspections. This pilot is being done under the Beyond the Border Action Plan.
The pilot project will reduce inspections over the next three years. The United States of Agriculture (USDA) will continue to do grade verification inspections on behalf of CFIA and oversee the tracking of bulk loads shipped under the Ministerial Exemption contract. This will be on a timed schedule as follows:
- From May 4, 2015 to Dec 31, 2105: 50% of bulk loads subject to inspection
- From Jan 1, 2016 to Dec 31, 2016: 25% of bulk loads subject to inspection
- From Jan 1, 2017 to Dec 31, 2017: 5% of bulk loads subject to inspection
The USDA will continue to issue inspection certificates for shipments that do not require an inspection due to this reduction. The USDA will not do an inspection but will issue a Certificate of Inspection for Canadian Destinations (FV-205), which will include a statement highlighting “this FV-205 is issued without inspection as per the Canada-U.S. Beyond the Border Agri-Food Pilot for Apples”.
The Guidelines for Requesting and Administering Ministerial Exemptions for Bulk Apples (section 7.2) have been revised to reflect the conditions of the apple pilot.
U.S.-grown Apples imported in containers less than or equal to 200 kg (440 lbs.) will still require inspection, as per Canadian import requirements (and the U.S. Export Apple Act for apples in containers of 100 lbs. or less).
If a bulk load arrives at the border and is not accompanied by proper USDA documentation, the load will be refused entry
If you require more information, please contact your local CFIA inspection office.