10


New certification program launched for plant exporters


Registration required by year’s end for greenhouse nurseries


by DAVID SCHMIDT ABBOTSFORD – The


Canadian Food Inspection Agency is replacing the Canadian Greenhouse Certification Program. The new Greenhouse


Certification Program (GCP) is only required for growers who want to export plants. Growers have until December 1, 2020 to transition to the new program. “The old program was 20


years old and needed to be updated,” CFIA operations


specialist Shannon Derksen told nursery growers in late December, saying its aim is to prevent the movement of regulated pests and diseases. The new program defines a


greenhouse as any structure which creates a modified growing environment and controls pests. It excludes field-grown nursery stock. As a first step, growers should check the Plants for Planting manual to determine which plants are eligible for export. “There is now a greater range of plants eligible for export to the US,” Derksen said.


The next step is to


EVERGREEN IRRIGATION REEL 4"X1320' HOSE, GUN CART, HONDA MOTOR, GUN CART, SINGLE AXLE


document what happens in the greenhouse, in particular what plants go in and which come out. Growers must have a pest management plan with a clear system to identify pests and prevent their spread. It needs individual modules for specific plants, including for the bamboo stakes growers use. Plants must be monitored for 28 days. Growers certified under


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • FEBRUARY 2020


Nursery growers shipping greenhouse-grown plants out of the country are transitioning to a new Greenhouse Certification Program which becomes mandatory on December 1. RONDA PAYNE FILE PHOTO


the GCP will only have two audits per year but must keep their records for three years.


Going digital The GCP is not the only


CFIA program impacting growers as the CFIA is responsible for an ever- increasing list of permissions and/or certificates, such as import and export permits, Safe Food for Canadians licences and pre-market permissions for plants with novel traits. “We’re moving to digital to streamline provision of these


services,” CFIA senior compliance officer Joan Soriano told growers. To access these services,


growers will need to sign up for a My CFIA account, which will give them 24-hour access to services and payment. That requires a business number from the Canada Revenue Agency, or other proof of business, and a profile. The profile identifies both a profile authority and profile manager, which need not be the same person, and could also include additional contacts with limited access


to specific services. Soriano believes the ability to obtain phytosanitary export certificates online will be a key benefit of having a My CFIA account. The service is still


undergoing pilot testing and will not be widely available until summer at the earliest, she adds.


Despite that, she urged


growers to sign up now “before you need it.” For more information and assistance in setting up a My CFIA account, call 1-800-442-2342.


FAST, COMPLETE MIXING AND PROCESSING


EVERGREEN WATER MASTER 4"X1320' HOSE, HONDA MOTOR, GUN CART, TANDEM AXLE


EVERGREEN WATER MASTER 4"X1320' HOSE, HONDA MOTOR, GUN CART, TRIPLE AXLE


VT 100 GII SERIES VERTICAL MAXX TWIN-AUGER MIXERS (truck, trailer and stationary models)


1994 JD 7800 4WD, 8800 HOURS, 161 HP, POWERSHIFT $43,000


www.tjequipmentllc.com 360-815-1597LYNDEN, WA


ALL PRICES IN US FUNDS


Visit your local British Columbia KUHN Dealer today!


®


• Ef昀cient mixing chamber promotes a fast, complete mix • Advanced auger design for superior feed movement and auger clean off • Rugged front and side conveyors (belt or chain & slat) for reliable service and long life • Front, side and rear discharge options offer maximum versatility


320 – 760 cu. ft. mixing capacities


Matsqui Ag-Repair Abbotsford


Country Tractor Armstrong


INVEST IN QUALITY www.kuhn.com


Country Tractor Kamloops


®


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52