D-96-07: Grain, seed and screenings

Effective Date: April 1, 2026
(7th Revision)

This directive specifies the phytosanitary requirements for:

  • screenings imported into Canada to be pelletized or milled for animal feed
  • screenings generated from the cleaning of seed or grain that has been imported into Canada

Latest revisions

This directive has been revised to reflect current Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) formatting standards. This directive has been renamed and revised to reflect changes in terminology to support the integration of the Grain, Seed, Screenings Program into the CFIA's digital platform. No changes have been made to the requirements of the program.

This directive supersedes D-96-07 (6th Revision)

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Introduction

The cleaning of grain or seed after harvest removes separable foreign materials (for example screenings) such as weed seeds, other grains, straw, chaff, hulls, soil, etc. Screenings have economic value as feed for livestock, but when they are imported or generated from foreign origin seed or grain, they present a high risk for the entry of pests not known to occur in Canada and are regulated to prevent these pests from establishing here.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by importers, the CFIA and Canada Border Services Agency personnel to prevent the introduction into and spread in Canada of regulated plant pests or soil. It is a guide to Canadian phytosanitary requirements that must be met by persons or entities who import or handle screenings for further processing or generate screenings from the cleaning of imported seed or grain in Canada.

Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms

Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant health glossary of terms.

1. General requirements

1.1 Legislative authority

The following legislative documents listed are available at the Department of Justice Canada website:

  • Plant Protection Act
    • Plant Protection Regulations
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
    • Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I (as amended from time to time)

1.2 Regulated pests

Imports into Canada must be free from soil and pests on the List of Pests Regulated by Canada, unless this condition is waived by way of an import permit issued under the Plant Protection Regulations.

1.3 Regulated commodities

  • Non-processed screenings of foreign origin
  • Grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops where the requirements for the import to arrive free of regulated weed seeds or soil have been waived in a permit issued under the Plant Protection Act

1.4 Regulated areas

All countries.

2. Import requirements

2.1 Regulated end uses

Specific commodities and their import requirements are listed on our Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). Import requirements often depend on the end use of the commodity. If imported grain is ultimately intended for human consumption or livestock feed but will be cleaned in Canada prior to being made available for food or feed purposes, we require the importer to declare the end use as "for cleaning" as this is the first use after importation. Similarly, for seed imports that are intended for sale or distribution in Canada, if they will be cleaned prior to sale, the end use that needs to be declared at the time of importation is "for cleaning" and not "for propagation".

Commodities destined for use in livestock feed after cleaning may also be subject to restrictions to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever into Canada. See Importers: understanding feed controls to prevent African swine fever for further information.

2.2 Specific requirements

Phytosanitary requirements in this directive reflect the requirements of the Plant Protection Act and Regulations. It is the importer's responsibility to ensure that the things that they import also comply with the requirements of other Canadian statutes, such as the Seeds Act or the Feeds Act.

2.2.1 Imports from the continental U.S.

An import permit issued under the Plant Protection Regulations is required for:

  • screenings imported for processing in Canada
  • grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops that are imported for cleaning in Canada and are not accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate at the time of importation

An import permit will not be issued unless the screenings or the grain or seed to be cleaned are destined for facility registered and approved in the program. Permits will not be issued for "storage" of commodities regulated under this directive because storage is not an end use. However, storage locations may be requested by applicants, and these locations will be required to be registered and approved in the program.

The following conditions of import apply to all non-processed screenings that are imported from the Continental U.S. and to grain or seed that is imported from the Continental U.S. for cleaning in Canada. The material must:

  • be transported in a manner that prevents spills, scattering or unauthorized spread
  • be routed directly to an approved facility for handling or treatment according to the conditions appearing on the import permit used to bring the material into Canada

Unprocessed and residual materials remaining at an approved facility must be contained and disposed in a manner acceptable to a CFIA inspector. Acceptable disposal options for screenings produced from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from the U.S. may include processing for animal feed or re-exporting the screenings back to the U.S.

2.2.2 Imports from off-continent
  • imports of screenings are prohibited

An import permit issued under the Plant Protection Regulations is required for:

  • grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops that are imported for cleaning in Canada and are not accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate at the time of importation

An import permit will not be issued unless the grain or seed to be cleaned is destined for a facility registered and approved in the program. Permits will not be issued for "storage" of commodities regulated under this directive because storage is not an end use. However, storage locations may be requested by applicants, and these locations will be required to be registered and approved in the program.

The following conditions for import of grain or seed from off continent for cleaning apply in all cases. The material must:

  • be transported in a manner that prevents spills, scattering or unauthorized spread
  • be routed directly to an approved facility for handling or treatment according to the conditions appearing on the import permit used to bring the material to Canada

Unprocessed and residual materials remaining at the approved facility must be contained and disposed of in a manner acceptable to a CFIA inspector. Screenings generated from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from off-continent must be disposed by incineration or deep burial at a licensed landfill or other method that we have determined to be effective for preventing the spread of pests. Screenings generated from seed or grain imported from off-continent are not permitted to be used to produce animal feed in Canada nor are they eligible for re-export from Canada.

2.3 Application Requirements

Facilities wishing to participate in the program, can apply by submitting a new service request through their My CFIA account. The Preventive Control Plan (PCP) described in appendix 1 and 2 can be included in the My CFIA application or sent to the local CFIA office.

For information on applying for an import permit, facilities should refer to D- 97-04: Application, procedures, issuance and use of a permit to import under the Plant Protection Act.

My CFIA uses the term "preventive control inspection" in place of "audit" and "terms and conditions" in place of "requirements".

3. Inspection requirements

3.1 Product examination

Shipments of regulated commodities, imported into or moving within Canada, are subject to inspection by a CFIA inspector and may be sampled and tested for regulated pests and soil. Additional phytosanitary measures may be ordered if regulated pests are identified during these inspections.

3.2 Facility audits

A facility approved on the program to receive imported grain or seed for cleaning in Canada or to receive screenings derived from U.S. origin seed or grain, is subject to CFIA audits. We will conduct:

  • an authorization audit of the facility prior to the approval to evaluate the preventive control plan is in place
  • ongoing systems audits (including record reviews) to confirm that the facility is carrying out the procedures identified in the program terms and conditions in either appendix 1 or 2 of this directive.

During the product inspection or facility audit an inspector may also verify that facilities are complying with the conditions set out in their import permit.

4. Non-compliance

4.1 Product compliance

Shipments that do not meet phytosanitary requirements may be refused entry or movement, returned to origin, re-exported, treated or destroyed at the importer's or shipper's expense. These expenses also include, but are not limited to, costs associated with quarantine actions resulting from accidental contamination caused by shipments during transport and seizure, confiscation and forfeiture of shipments.

The permit to import may be cancelled if an importer/shipper does not comply with the conditions of the permit.

4.2 Program compliance

The CFIA may suspend or revoke a facility's registration in the program upon finding non-compliance with the requirements specified in this directive.

5. References

5.1 Fees

The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported products, contact the National Import Service Centre (NISC). For other information regarding fees, contact any CFIA office or visit the Fees Notice website

5.2 Supporting documents

Appendix

Appendix 1: Terms and conditions of Grain, Seed, Screenings Program to handle uncleaned field crops or screenings from the continental U.S.

A. If receiving imported grain or seed for storage or cleaning

The facility must maintain a preventive control plan that:

  • Describes transportation, handling and storage conditions of grain or seed prior to cleaning to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread
  • Describes handling and storage conditions for screenings derived from cleaning of imported grain or seed, including during transportation to disposal site
  • Identifies the location(s) and method by which screenings will be disposed or processed (for example burning, burial, shipping to a processing plant for pelleting or milling for animal feed)

Approved facilities must maintain records that document the delivery of their preventative control plan.

B. If importing screenings or handling screenings produced from cleaning imported seed or grain

The facility must maintain a preventive control plan that:

  • Describes transportation, handling and storage conditions of screenings to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread
  • Describes the facility's method used to process screenings

Approved facilities must maintain records that document the delivery of their preventative control plan.

Applicant's statement:

The facility must designate the person responsible for the facility's management of foreign origin screenings as the program manager in the My CFIA service request.

The applicant and program manager have read and agree to comply with the provisions of D-96-07 and to the following requirements:

  • to route imported material to the facility and process it as soon as possible following arrival
  • to transport imported material and screenings derived from this material in such a manner as to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread – under a CFIA movement certificate as required
  • to inform the local CFIA office if spills occur while in transit to the facility
  • to not sell or distribute imported material until processed at the facility in the manner approved by the CFIA inspector
  • to ensure that any third-party contractors engaged by the facility comply with the requirements of D-96-07
  • to cooperate with the CFIA during audits and allowing CFIA access to the facility and to records, as required, to verify adherence to these requirements.

Approval by a CFIA inspector is required before a facility can be included as an approved destination on a Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under the Plant Protection Act

Appendix 2: Terms and conditions of Grain, Seed, Screenings Program to handle uncleaned field crops imported from origins other than the continental U.S. 

A. If receiving imported grain or seed for storage or cleaning

The facility must maintain a preventive control plan that:

  • Describes transportation, handling and storage conditions for grain or seed prior to cleaning to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread
  • Describes handling and storage conditions for screenings derived from cleaning of imported grain or seed, including during transportation to the disposal site
  • Identifies the location and method of disposal for screenings derived from cleaning of imported grain or seed (for example incineration or deep burial)

Approved facilities must maintain records that document the delivery of their preventative control plan.

The facility must designate the person responsible for the previously mentioned facility's management of foreign origin screenings as the program manager in the My CFIA service request.

The applicant and program manager agree with the provisions of D-96-07 and to the following requirements:

  • to route imported material to the facility and process it as soon as possible following arrival
  • to transport imported material and screenings derived from this material in such a manner as to prevent spills, scattering or unauthorized spread – under a CFIA movement certificate as required
  • to inform the local CFIA office if spills occur while in transit to the facility
  • to not sell or distribute imported material until processed at the facility in the manner approved by the CFIA inspector
  • to ensure that any third-party contractors engaged by the facility comply with the requirements of D-96-07
  • to cooperate with the CFIA during audits and allowing CFIA access to the facility and to records, as required, to verify adherence to these requirements.

Approval by a CFIA inspector is required before a facility can be included as an approved destination on a Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under the Plant Protection Act

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