January 06, 2009
     

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that beginning February 1, 2009, it will put in place a "standard inspection protocol" for Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables.

This action results from an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) interim rule which lifted the agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) exemption for Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables imported from Canada effective March 1, 2007 (see footnote for details).1

CBP Has Steadily Increased Inspection Rate of Canadian-Grown Fruits and Vegetables

According to CBP officials, to enforce this APHIS' regulation, CBP has steadily increased the inspection rate of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables since 2007.

Inspection Protocol May Cause Increase in Hold/Inspection Rate of Subject Fruits and Vegetables

CBP officials added that the inspection protocol is automated, and may cause a noticeable increase in the hold and inspection rate of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables.

CBP adds that the removal of the inspection exemption from commercial shipments entering the U.S. from Canada was necessary to prevent the introduction of plant pests and diseases into the U.S. via conventional pathways or through bioterrorism.

In August 2006, APHIS issued an interim rule that amended 7 CFR Parts 319 and 354 by removing the exemptions from AQI user fees for commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international air passengers, which enter the U.S. from Canada.  This interim rule also removed the exemptions from AQI inspection for imported fruits and vegetables grown in Canada.

(Originally, the effective date for the interim rule was November 24, 2006; however, it was delayed. The AQI user fee exemptions were previously removed for air passengers and commercial vehicles. The removal of the inspection exemption for Canadian-grown frits and vegetables took effect on March 1, 2007.)