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CFIA Proposed updates to the phytosanitary import requirements for wooden and bamboo products

Apr 10, 2017

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a notice to industry and is seeking feedback on its updated plant health requirements for importing some wooden and bamboo products. Your comments and input required by end of May 2017.

Directive D-02-12: Phytosanitary import requirements for non-processed wood and other wooden products, bamboo and bamboo products, originating from all areas other than the continental United States (U.S.) has been revised to clarify phytosanitary requirements for wooden and bamboo products.

Canada regulates the import of non-processed wood, wood products, bamboo and bamboo products to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading pests of concern to Canadian agriculture, forestry and the environment.

Summary of proposed revisions:

  1. The title of the directive has been updated to more clearly reflect the phytosanitary import requirements.
  2. Some phytosanitary import requirements for wooden and bamboo products have been clarified.
  3. An additional option of heat treatment for bamboo products has been added for those products with parts thicker than 1.5 cm in diameter.
  4. Wood and wooden products Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 have been separated from bamboo and bamboo products Appendix 4 to clarify the phytosanitary import requirements.
  5. Examples of exempt commodities and regulated commodities are provided.
  6. Phytosanitary requirements have been removed for importing dried woody materials e.g. branches, cones, woody roots, woody foliage, including wreaths and similar items that are now regulated under D-14-03: Phytosanitary import requirements for fresh and dried branches, cut flowers and other plant parts for ornamental purposes.
  7. Phytosanitary requirements have been added for :
    1. Unprocessed cork of Quercus suber; and
    2. Wood cubes and wood chips (bark-free) for smoking meat or wine making.
  8. Appendix 7 on Wood Species has been revised to focus on tropical wood species. Non-tropical wood species were removed.

Your input is important to us. We encourage you to review the D-02-12 directive and a summary of the proposed revisions and provide your comments by email or mail.

Comments should be submitted by May 31st, 2017 to: forestry-foresterie@inspection.gc.ca
or send by mail to,
Forestry Section
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
59 Camelot Dr.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9