Regulatory requirements for Canadian seed potato growers regarding the annual application process for field-grown seed potatoes crop inspections.
On this page
- Application form, supporting documents and deadline
- Late applications
- Changes to an application
- Refunds for withdrawing a crop or decreasing hectares
- Contact us
Application form, supporting documents and deadline
Every year, on or before June 30th, growers of field-grown seed potatoes are required to:
- complete Application for Seed Potato Crop Inspection – Growers Declaration (CFIA/ACIA 1317), and
- submit it to their local Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) office with all applicable supporting documents:
- tags
- record of bulk movement
- certificates of authorization
- nuclear stock certificates
- special permission for sale of seed potatoes not eligible for official tags, and if required, and
- bacterial ring rot and post-harvest virus testing results
The CFIA inspector will assess the grower's application package and confirm that:
- non-certified potatoes were not planted on the farm unit in the year of the application
- new crop is not planted in a field where non-certified potatoes were grown in either of the previous 2 years
New seed potato growers
In the case of an application made by a new seed potato grower, a Disinfection Report (CFIA/ACIA 2415) issued by an inspector is required. The report will verify that a proper clean-up and disinfection of the premises at the grower's farm unit was completed before the arrival of the seed potatoes for planting.
Seed potatoes from the United States
The grower must present a North American Certified Seed Potato Health Certificate for imported seed potatoes in order to verify the class of seed potatoes to be planted for recertification. The certificate must be provided to the inspector before the planting of the crop to attest to the class of seed potatoes according to the Canadian standard for classes. If you're unsure of how to interpret the information on the certificate, contact your CFIA inspector for assistance.
Late applications
Applications will only be accepted after June 30th if:
- there is still time to carry out 2 field inspections, and
- the grower shows that the delay in submitting the application was beyond the grower's control.
The grower must provide a written request to submit a late application stating the reason for the late application. If the reason for the late submission was not beyond the grower's control, the application will be rejected.
Changes to an application
By signing the Application for Seed Potato Crop Inspection – Growers Declaration (CFIA/ACIA 1317), the grower is declaring that all potato crops grown on the farm unit (seed and non-seed) are included on the application.
Changes before the end of the first inspection
Adding or increasing the size of fields to the application before the end of the first crop inspection
The grower must provide any additions in writing to the CFIA prior to making any changes to the application.
Depending on the timing of the requested addition(s), the inspector will need to determine if the added field(s) has passed its inspection window and then decide whether the field(s) is eligible for certification or not. All changes must be initialled and dated by both the inspector and the growers on the application.
Withdrawing a field or reducing the size of a field
If a grower wishes to withdraw a field or reduce the size of a field from their approved Application, all changes must be initialled and dated by both the inspector and the grower on the application.
Changes after first inspection
After the first crop inspection has been completed, application changes will only be accepted to withdraw crops or decrease hectares.
Adding additional fields to the application after the completion of the first crop inspection
The grower must submit a new and separate application for seed potato crop inspection and show that the delay in submitting the additional crops was beyond the grower's control.
Depending on the timing of the application and operational workload, it may not be possible to conduct the two crop inspections.
Withdrawing a field or reducing the size of a field
If a grower wishes to withdraw a field or reduce the size of a field from their approved Application, all changes must be initialled and dated by both the inspector and the grower on the application.
Refunds for withdrawing a crop or decreasing hectares
No portion of the crop inspection fee is refundable after an inspector has begun the first crop inspection. A Growing Crop Certificate (CFIA/ACIA 1318) will not be issued for any fields under cultivation by that grower until all applicable fees have been paid.
Contact us
For any questions, please contact your local CFIA office.