Protect Canadian agriculture: Help prevent the spread of pests
Protecting Canada's environment and agriculture from invasive plants and plant pests is important for the health of our economy and for our enjoyment of nature. Plant pests can damage Canada's environment and agriculture.
Three significant soil-borne pests are in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador:
These pests can be carried in soil and on things that can carry soil. These include:
- plants with roots
- root vegetables
- potatoes
- carrots
- turnips
There are no human health or food safety concerns with these pests, but they have the potential to devastate agriculture crops. These pests are soil borne and are very difficult to eradicate because they can persist and remain dormant in the soil for several decades. If left unmanaged, they can cause:
- significant economic impacts
- crop losses
- trade interruptions
Why soil movement is restricted
To prevent the potential spread of these pests to other areas of Canada, we control and restrict the movement of soil and items that can carry soil when leaving Newfoundland and Labrador.
These restrictions apply at all points of exit from the province. You cannot transport soil or any materials carrying soil when leaving Newfoundland and Labrador unless authorized by the CFIA.
Requirements for vehicles and equipment
All vehicles and equipment must arrive at the point of exit clean and free from soil, including:
- passenger vehicles
- recreational vehicles (RVs)
- commercial vehicles
Vehicles or equipment contaminated with soil may be delayed or denied boarding. They also may be required to be cleaned or treated before leaving the province.
Some vehicles and equipment pose a higher risk of carrying soil. If you are travelling in or moving any of the following, you must contact the Newfoundland and Labrador office at 709-772-4424 before departure:
- agricultural equipment
- construction equipment
- forestry equipment
- military vehicles
- all‑terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs)
Items you cannot take when leaving Newfoundland and Labrador
Before leaving Newfoundland and Labrador, make sure you are not travelling with any of the following restricted items:
- potatoes
- soil and related materials
- root vegetables
- turnips
- beets
- carrots
- plants with roots and/or soil
- unclean plant pots or other containers that held soil
- used bags and burlap
Moving restricted items with authorization
In some cases, you may be allowed to move a restricted item with written authorization from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in the form of a movement certificate before you travel.
To learn whether authorization is required:
- contact your local CFIA office well in advance of departure
- do not attempt to travel with restricted items without written approval
If you arrive at a ferry terminal or other point of exit with a restricted item or a soil‑contaminated vehicle:
- you may be required to clean or treat the item or vehicle
- the item may be confiscated
- you may be refused boarding or exit
Failure to comply with soil movement restrictions may result in fines of up to $25,000 and/or prosecution.