Incorporation by reference of plant protection movement prohibitions and restrictions

Current status: Closed

Opened on January 17, 2023 and closed on February 18, 2023

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a consultation related to plant-movement. Restrictions and prohibitions help prevent or control the spread of plant pests in Canada.

About the consultation

The CFIA is seeking input on the use of incorporation by reference, which introduces the content of a document into a regulation (for example, via a link) without having to include the document's full text in the regulation. This makes it easier to update information, for example when a list of pests or requirements changes.

Currently, the plant-related movement prohibitions and restrictions are listed in Schedules I and II of the Plant Protection Regulations (PPR). They are one of the CFIA's domestic plant protection measures and apply to the movement of certain products in Canada (for example, plants, firewood and soil). Instead, the CFIA is proposing to move the lists to the CFIA's website. The proposal would "incorporate by reference" Schedules I and II of the PPR to allow the list of regulated pests to be maintained and updated in a transparent, timely and efficient manner.

This is one way the CFIA is working to update and modernize the PPR, as listed on the CFIA's Forward Regulatory Plan and in accordance with the CFIA Incorporation by Reference Policy.

The CFIA will continue to consult stakeholders and provide opportunities to comment on proposed changes, except for minor administrative adjustments and changes to address an immediate risk.

How to participate

Comments on CFIA's proposal to incorporate by reference Schedules I and II of the PPR, can be sent by e-mail to the CFIA's Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Programs at CFIA-IAS_ACIA-EEE@inspection.gc.ca.

Who was the focus of this consultation

The CFIA is seeking comments from anyone (such as businesses, academia, other levels of government, other organizations and the public at large) that moves or may move products within Canada that are regulated by the CFIA under the Plant Protection Act.  This includes products such as:

• plants for planting, including rooted plants and plant root systems, greenhouse and nursery plants, fruit, vegetables, root crops, cut flowers, branches
• trees and tree parts, including sawn wood, bark, logs, lumber, pulpwood, firewood, Christmas trees, wood chips, wood packaging and dunnage
• grains and field crops, including cereals, oilseeds, pulses, hay, pastures, straw, hay
• potatoes and potato parts for propagation, including seed tubers, true (botanical) seed, in vitro plantlets, micro-tubers, mini-tubers and cuttings
• potatoes not intended for propagation, including packaged and bulk potato tubers for human or animal consumption, processing, packing, and repacking
• soil, related matter and the loose surface of the earth in which plants grow, including humus, compost, earthworm castings, muck, plant litter and debris, peat moss

Related information

• Domestic plant protection measures
• Plant Protection Regulations (justice.gc.ca)
• CFIA Incorporation by Reference Policy
• CFIA Forward Regulatory Plan: 2022 to 2024

Contact us

Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Programs
Plant Protection Division
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: CFIA-IAS_ACIA-EEE@inspection.gc.ca