Webinars
WEBINAR: Rugose at the border
April 29, 2020 at
2:00pm
Date: April 29, 2020, 2pm ET
(This webinar has already occurred)
Webinar description:
With cases of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) appearing in different countries across the globe, regulatory agencies are trying to limit its spread. Hear about the impacts of ToBRFV on US and Canadian growers, with particular emphasis on the US Federal Order introduced last November.
Speaker: Michael Bledsoe, PhD, Vice President, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Village Farms
Sponsored by: 
Additional questions:
1. If ToBRFV is seed-borne, how soon would a grower see the first symptoms? Similarly, if via other vectors, when would that infection be seen?
MB: This is still being researched, but the symptoms show up at different times on different varieties. I have also heard that as the weather gets warmer you may begin to see more symptoms. No data to support this, just what I have been told.
2. Does any disinfection occur at the border on the tomato trucks?
MB: Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) only inspects shipments and initially take action on visual conditions, but then CBP either will have the sample tested by ImmunoStrip by USDA locally, or depending on the port, they may have to send off to a USDA location for testing. Often there is not enough space for the truck to remain at the Port, so it is returned to Canada or Mexico until results come back. No sanitation at border.
3. If they are bringing tomatoes from Mexico up to Canada, then shipping them back into the US with some Canadian produce, how does it get past US inspection the first time?
MB: If produce is shipped directly from Mexico to Canada, it is not inspected at the border(s) by CBP, since it is not destined for the USA. Only shipment destined for the USA are inspected by CBP. Once it is then repackaged and shipped to the US , it gets inspected by CBP.
About the speaker:
Michael Bledsoe, PhD
Vice President, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs,
Village Farms
As vice-president of food safety and regulatory affairs at Village Farms, Michael Bledsoe is responsible for regulatory compliance with federal, state, and provincial regulatory agencies, currently in the USA, Canada and Mexico. His department takes a proactive role in working with regulatory agencies often involved in permitting, regulatory compliance, and new and existing pesticide registrations. Additionally, he advises on integrated pest management (IPM), represents the US and Canadian greenhouse industry, acts as a resource to Village Farms Growers, and coordinates pest scouting summaries and protocols.
Don’t miss the first webinar in this series:
Keeping out the rugose with Cara McCreary of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Watch the recording!
