D-16-02: Administration of the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP)

Consult the list of authorized facilities in Canada for the GCP.

5.1.1.1 Facilities with multiple distinct physical locations

With respect to GCP Part IV, Section 1.0: Facility authorization, a single authorized facility may include multiple distinct physical locations as long as certain conditions are met.

• The locations must have the same GCP manager and use the same administrative centre for issuance of GCP documentation and retention of GCP-specific records

When locations are not all within the service area of a single CFIA office, the CFIA will determine if the multiple locations may be considered to be a single authorized facility.

5.1.1.2 Seasonal and/or temporary off-site production

When facilities rent, lease or otherwise arrange for the use of an off-site production area that is not in the same physical location as the authorized facility and wish to include the off-site location in the GCP, the location and description of the off-site production area and the description of the management of the off-site facility must be included in the pest management plan. An off-site facility that is not included in the facility's pest management plan is not considered to be part of the authorized facility.

5.1.1.3 Shared premises

If an authorized facility is using a production area that is joined, shared, immediately adjacent to or otherwise not physically separated and separately managed from a production area used by another GCP authorized facility, and if 1 of the authorized facilities is suspended from the GCP, then all authorized facilities using the shared premises are suspended until the CFIA can complete an investigation and issues related to the suspension are addressed.

5.1.1.4 Not-authorized areas of a facility

If the greenhouse structure includes areas that are not considered to be part of the authorized facility, buffers may be utilized within the structure per the requirements of GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.3.

GCP Part II, Section 4.1.1 and Part IV, Section 2.1.3 provide options for facilities to obtain an official inspection.

The CFIA record of inspection will indicate all the following elements:

• the taxa verified and the quantity
• that the phytosanitary requirements of both Canada and the United States are met
• when the inspection was conducted
• who conducted the inspection

The record of official phytosanitary inspection provided by the CFIA may be either a:

• CFIA/ACIA 1337 Inspector's Report: Plant Protection Program
• invoice stamped by the CFIA

With respect to GCP Part I, Section 4.0, Glossary: authorized facility (plant broker), "producing plants" includes growing, holding in cold storage or otherwise maintaining plants. Facilities that for any reason hold plants longer than required to assemble a consignment must be authorized as an authorized facility (place of production).

With respect to GCP Part IV, Section 2.3, Compliance agreement elements for authorized facility: plant broker, "transform" includes the incorporation of associated articles, addition of growing media and any other practice that affects the phytosanitary risk of the exported plant. Facilities that "transform" plants must be authorized as a place of production.

With respect to the use of the term "enterable" in the technical requirements, plants may be considered eligible for the GCP provided that they can meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both Canada and the United States. Plants from offshore, for example, plants that do not have a place of origin of Canada or the continental United States, must have phytosanitary documentation indicating that entry requirements for both countries are met.

GCP facilities must ensure that phytosanitary certificates for offshore plants include the additional declarations required by both APHIS and the CFIA.

5.1.4.1 Plant taxa that are eligible only if they are from a United States place of origin

The USDA Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database indicate that some plant taxa are prohibited entry when their place of origin is Canada. The specific restrictions may include plants that are NAPPRA (not authorized pending pest risk analysis), plants subject to United States Federal Import Orders, and plants on the Prohibited Articles List.

These taxa may only be considered to be eligible plants when the following elements are met:

• the source of the plants is the United States
• APHIS and CFIA have developed minimum phytosanitary risk management measures that may be applied at a GCP authorized facility to maintain production conditions equivalent to those present in the United States
• authorized facilities that receive these taxa from the United States with the intent of returning the plants to the United States have a production module that incorporates the minimum phytosanitary risk management measures referenced in the previous bullet and has been accepted and incorporated into their pest management plan

According to GCP Part II, Section 3.0, Eligible plants: greenhouse-grown vegetable plants that include roots (for example "living lettuce") and require a phytosanitary certificate for export to the United States are eligible for the GCP.

For the purpose of GCP Part II, Section 4.1.1, Exceptions to the growth and monitoring period: a document bearing a Canadian Nursery Certification Program interfacility stamp is considered by Canada and the United States to be equivalent to a phytosanitary certificate issued for greenhouse-grown plants.

Facilities wishing to participate in the program can apply by submitting a new service request through their My CFIA account.

All place of production facilities must prepare and submit the list of plants in production. The list must meet the requirements of GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.2. The list is attached to the application in My CFIA or sent to the local CFIA office for review and acceptance.

The CFIA will verify the list of plants in production and will inform the facility which regulated pests are present in the area and indicate the pests for which a pest module must be included in the pest management plan.

Pest module details are recorded in the pest management template in the section titled "GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.1 Pest modules". If the details of the pest module are in a separate document, the location of the separate document must be noted.

There are 4 circumstances in which a production module may be required:

• exemption from the minimum growth and monitoring period
• exemption for outdoor growth
• incorporation of associated articles
• production module required by the CFIA.

1.4.1 Exemption for growth and monitoring period of less than 28 days

GCP Part II, Section 4.1.1 lists the conditions when plants are excepted from the minimum 28 day growth and monitoring period.

For all other circumstances, when a facility wishes to produce certified plants in less than 28 days, an exemption is required (GCP Part II, Section 4.2.1). If the exemption is granted, the conditions of the exemption make up the production module. The link to the application for exemption is found in Appendix 5. The application is submitted to the local CFIA office and is forwarded to a CFIA-APHIS joint administration group for evaluation. The pest management plan must be submitted with the exemption request. The application for exemption should be submitted as soon as it is prepared as the response from the joint administration group is required before plants with a growth and monitoring period of less than 28 days may be included in the pest management plan.

1.4.2 Exemption for outdoor growth

When a facility wishes to produce certified plants outside the greenhouse structure for part of their production process, an exemption is required (GCP Part II, Section 4.2.2). If the exemption is granted, the conditions of the exemption make up the production module. The link to the application for exemption is found in Appendix 5. The application is submitted to the local CFIA office and it is forwarded to a CFIA-APHIS joint administration group for evaluation. The pest management plan must be submitted with the exemption request. The application for exemption should be submitted as soon as it is prepared as the response from the joint administration group is required before plants with a period of outdoor growth may be included in the pest management plan.

1.4.3 Incorporation of associated articles

When a facility produces certified plants that incorporate associated articles (for example, bamboo stakes) the details of how the facility obtains and maintains associated articles that can meet the phytosanitary import requirements of both APHIS and the CFIA are recorded in the pest management plan under the heading "GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules". Facilities should consult their local CFIA office about the current phytosanitary requirements for the associated article before the production module is designed.

1.4.4 Production module required by the CFIA

The CFIA may require a facility to incorporate a production module to detail specific risk mitigation measures. This production module could address risks identified by the inspector and not addressed elsewhere, or could address specific risk associated with a plant taxa, pest or country of origin. The CFIA inspector will determine whether this production module is necessary. If this module is required, it will need to be added to the pest management plan under the heading "GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules".

All places of production are required to use the pest management plan template found in Appendix 5.

The completed pest management plan is attached to the application in My CFIA or sent to the local CFIA office for review and acceptance. Once the pest management plan is accepted by the CFIA, the authorization audit is scheduled.

Once the CFIA has received and accepted a facility's application, the list of plants in production and the pest management plan, an authorization audit will be scheduled to verify that all elements of the compliance agreement and the pest management plan have been implemented at the facility. Deficiencies identified must be addressed before a facility is authorized.

Following a successful authorization audit, the compliance agreement is issued by the CFIA. Once the compliance agreement is issued, the facility is considered to be authorized and may operate under the conditions of the GCP technical requirements and D-16-02.

Newly authorized facilities may not ship under the GCP until they have their GCP export certification labels and/or interfacility stamps and their facility information is published on the list of GCP authorized facilities in Canada.

Facilities wishing to participate in the program, may apply by submitting a new service request through their My CFIA account.

Once the CFIA has reviewed and accepted a facility's application, an authorization audit will be scheduled to verify that all elements of the compliance agreement have been implemented at the facility. Deficiencies identified must be addressed before a facility is authorized.

Following a successful authorization audit, the compliance agreement is issued by the CFIA. Once the compliance agreement is issued, the facility is considered to be authorized and may operate under the conditions of the GCP technical requirements and D-16-02.

Newly authorized facilities may not ship under the GCP until they have their export certification labels and/or interfacility stamps and their facility information is published on the list of authorized facilities in Canada.

• Authorized Facilities may not manufacture export certification labels
• Export certification labels must be commercially manufactured
• The facility authorization number and the unique sequential serial numbers must be pre-printed on the export certification labels
• Export certification labels must meet the specifications found in Appendix 4
• The serial number of the first label will be 000001
• When additional labels are ordered, the first serial number must immediately follow the last serial number of the previous order
• There is to be only 1 original label for each serial number. If duplicate labels are required to meet business needs, the duplicate label must be preprinted with "copy – copie" as illustrated in Appendix 4, Section 1.1
• Export certification labels should be used in sequential order. Variation may be accepted by prior arrangement with CFIA
• Spoiled labels and any unused duplicate copies must be maintained for verification until the CFIA inspector indicates they may be disposed of and concurs with the manner of disposal

• Authorized Facilities may not manufacture interfacility stamps
• Interfacility stamps must be commercially manufactured
• Interfacility stamps must meet the specifications found in Appendix 4
• Worn out stamps must be maintained for verification until the CFIA inspector indicates they may be disposed of and concurs with the manner of disposal

The following details must be included in the facility's records:

• Per GCP Part IV, Section 2.1.3, GCP Certification Documents
  • Designated individual who maintains control of labels and stamps
  • Authorized personnel who may access and use labels and stamps
• For each batch of export certification labels ordered and received:
  • Manufacturer
  • Date of receipt
  • Range of serial numbers received
  • Verification that the order meets the specifications found in Appendix 4
• For individual export certification labels:
  • The facility must be able to demonstrate how each export certification label is used, including if a label is spoiled/ void
  • When a facility uses duplicate export certification labels, each duplicate label must be accounted for
• For each interfacility stamp ordered and received:
  • Manufacturer
  • Date of receipt
  • Verification that the interfacility stamp received meets the specifications found in Appendix 4
  • Date and manner of disposal for each retired interfacility stamp

The title of the pest management plan is:

• Pest Management Plan United States - Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program

• facility name
• authorization number

Mailing address

• address
• city
• province
• postal code
• telephone number
• fax number
• email address

Physical address

• street address
• city
• province
• postal code

• brief description of the business (for example, propagation of plants from seed for sale as pre-finished plants, propagation of ornamental plants from domestic and offshore cuttings for distribution to retail etc.)
• prepared by (name of author).

GCP manager

• last name
• first name
• signature
• date

For each amendment, indicate:

• the amended section and content
• that the changes are approved by the facility representative
• the date it was approved
• whether CFIA was notified or not

• title
• name

For each pest, indicate:

• scientific name
• local common name
• host plants in production (yes/no)
• module required (yes/no)

Preventive Control Plan (PCP) Sub-element 1.1 Incoming plants, inventory control and production practices

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.2 List of plants in production

• briefly describe how you determine that plants entering the authorized facility are eligible plants

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5.1 Incoming plants

• describe the receiving process for incoming plants, including pest detection methods. Include a reference to where a list of designated personnel may be found

GCP Part IV, Section 2.1.2 Inventory control

• briefly describe how certified plants, non-conforming plants and ineligible plants are differentiated in the authorized facility

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.4 Separation of ineligible plants

• indicate if eligible and ineligible plants of the same taxa are or are not grown at the facility
• if eligible and ineligible plants of the same taxa are grown at the facility, describe the system used to maintain plant identity and manage pest risk

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.5 Separation of plants that have not completed the growth and monitoring period

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.1 Protection from soil-borne pests

• describe all media used in the production of plants; include the name of the manufacturer

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules

Production module: Growth and monitoring less than 28 days

• describe the additional risk mitigating measures

Production module: Outdoor growth

• describe the authorized outdoor production area(s) in relation to the authorized facility
• the authorized outdoor production area(s) should be shown on the facility map or diagram
• describe the additional risk mitigating measures

Production module: Associated articles

• describe the associated article
• describe the process for ensuring that the associated article is enterable into both the United States and Canada and for maintaining identity while in the authorized facility

Production module: Additional safeguarding prescribed by the CFIA

• details

Production module: Special

• details

PCP Sub-element 1.4 Inspection and verification of certified plants

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5.3 Shipping inspection of certified plants

• describe the inspection procedure, including pest detection methods
• include a reference to where a list of designated personnel may be found
• describe the process for verifying that plants shipped under and export certification label or interfacility stamp are certified plants

PCP Sub-element 2.2 Pest detection and pest control

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5 Pest detection and pest control

• describe the actions to be taken when there is a significant pest find, including notification per Part IV, Section 2.1.5 of the GCP technical requirements
• describe the activity records maintained related to pest scouting, plant inspections, control procedures, pest identifications and laboratory submissions

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.5.2 Examination of production areas

• describe procedures and practices for pest detection, including official pest scouting, frequency, intensity, pest detection methods, etc.
• include a reference to where a list of designated personnel may be found
• describe how scouting activities are documented

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.1 Pest modules

Pest module

For each pest, indicate:

• scientific name
• local common name
• host plants in production (list). If the control strategies are applied to all plants in production "all" may be indicated
• describe how pest information is shared with appropriate staff, including life cycle, distribution, damage, host(s), identification guide, pictures etc.
• describe control strategy(ies) used to prevent spread of this pest

PCP Sub-element 5.1 Description of greenhouse and production areas

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures and production practices

• describe the facility, including a description of physical structure, for example, glasshouse, screenhouse etc. and the area under production
• include a site map or diagram of the facility showing all locations for handling plants, for example, receiving, propagation, coolers
• the description of the various parts of the facility may be shown on the map or diagram
• pictures, aerial photographs etc. may be used for clarity

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.2 Protection from non-irrigation water and water-borne pests

• describe the source of irrigation water and any treatment if applicable

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.3 Minimum requirements for greenhouse structures and production practices

• describe any buffer areas around the facility and how they are managed

GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.1.6 Exemption for outdoor production

• see PCP sub-element 1.1, GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.7.2 Production modules