Aug. 5, 2014 — To improve the consistency and effectiveness of the
U.S.-Canada Greenhouse Certification Program (GCP), APHIS Plant
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) are revising the program requirements.
Aug. 5, 2014 — To improve the consistency and effectiveness of the U.S.-Canada Greenhouse Certification Program (GCP), APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are revising the program requirements.
The Greenhouse Certification Program (GCP) has been in place since 1996. The program facilitates the export of greenhouse-grown plants between the United States and Canada by allowing authorized facilities to use an Export Certification Label in lieu of a phytosanitary certificate.
The draft Technical Requirements document outlines the responsibilities of the participating facilities and of APHIS and CFIA under the revised GCP. Stakeholders are asked to provide feedback on the revised Technical Requirements by Sept. 2, 2014.
• Technical Requirements, U.S.-Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program.
Background information on the greenhouse program, an overview of the revised Technical Requirements, and a questions and answers document are provided below to assist in the review of the Technical Requirements document.
• Background: U.S.-Canadian Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program.
• Overview and Highlights of the Revised Technical Requirements.
During the consultation period, APHIS and CFIA representatives will be available to answer questions arising in their jurisdictions. To be considered for the final revision, all comments must be submitted in writing to the appropriate National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).
After the comment period ends, the GCP working group will review the submitted comments. The GCP Technical Requirements will be revised where possible to address the comments and concerns identified by stakeholders during the consultation.
Once the revised GCP Technical Requirements are finalized, they will be implemented in both countries.
A one year plan will be developed to facilitate an orderly transition to the revised program. The transition will include training and assistance by the NPPOs and their cooperators.
SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENTS
Stakeholders should submit written comments on the revised Technical Requirements by Sept. 2, 2014. Only written comments will be considered.
If you are based in the United States, e-mail your questions and comments to RCCPlantProtection@aphis.usda.gov.
If you are based in Canada, e-mail your questions and comments to horticulture@inspection.gc.ca.
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