Proposed amended – D-12-01: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction of plants regulated as pests in Canada

Effective date: May 30, 2013
(Original)
Updated: September 2026

This directive has been amended to:

  • clarify specific import requirements and treatments
  • update the list of plants currently regulated as pests and potential invasive plants pending risk analysis
  • accommodate minor editorial changes

Subject

This directive outlines the general phytosanitary requirements for Canada. These requirements are designed to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants. The invasive plants are regulated as pests by the CFIA under the Plant Protection Act.

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Review

This directive will be updated as required. The CFIA will amend this directive in response to any changes made to the regulatory status of plants. For further information or clarification, contact the CFIA. This amended version replaces D-98-06: Interim Import Requirements of Parasitic Plants: Cuscuta spp., Striga spp. and Orobanche spp.

1. Legislative authority

2. Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms

Definitions of terms used in this directive can be found in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms or the Plant health glossary of terms.

3. Introduction

Invasive plants can be harmful when introduced into new areas, causing serious damage to Canada's economy and environment. This can occur with plants being moved intentionally, such as:

  • traditional food and medicine
  • plants for planting
  • seed

This can occur with plants being moved unintentionally, such as:

  • contaminants in seed
  • hay and straw
  • grain crops
  • soil
  • machinery and equipment

The CFIA's Invasive Plants Program focuses largely on preventing or limiting the introduction and spread of invasive plants. The CFIA's primary role is to prevent their introduction into Canada, rather than to control and manage them once they are widely established. Species with widespread distribution and density in Canada do not meet the criteria to be candidates for regulation as pest plants by the CFIA.

This directive communicates phytosanitary requirements intended to prevent the introduction and spread of plants regulated as pests by the CFIA. Requirements depend on factors such as means of introduction or spread and intended end-use. The CFIA may restrict the following pathways of introduction or spread of invasive plants:

  • import
  • sale
  • possession
  • movement

Pest risk analyses provide the scientific rationale for regulating plant pests. Regulatory decisions are based on the best science that is available at the time and can be updated as required.

If a plant presents a significant risk to Canada's plant resource base, it will be considered for regulation using the pest risk analysis process.

4. Scope

This directive is intended for use by:

  • importers
  • individuals handling or moving these regulated articles in regulated areas
  • agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries
  • the Canada Border Services Agency
  • the CFIA
  • other government departments
  • the public

4.1 Regulated pest

Pest plant species/taxa, including all propagative parts, such as seeds, are listed under appendix 1 of this directive. These species are not permitted entry into Canada. This includes plant species in and of themselves or as contaminants associated with other pathways.

4.1.1 Potentially invasive plants – Not Authorized Pending a Pest Risk Analysis (NAPPRA)

Plants that are NAPPRA are under consideration for regulation, but not officially regulated, pending the completion of the risk analysis process. In the interim, they are not permitted entry into Canada. The plants that are NAPPRA are listed under appendix 2.

4.2 Regulated articles

Regulated articles include plants designated as pests. They also include anything contaminated or potentially contaminated, by those pest plants. Examples include:

  • seed
  • general cargo
  • shipping materials
  • conveyances

These articles are subject to regulatory control or action.

This directive only concerns terrestrial plants. It does not include obligate aquatic taxa.

4.3 Domestic requirements for regulated pest plants

Regulatory measures may be in place wherever regulated pests are established or suspected to be established in Canada, for example, from small properties to entire provinces. The CFIA implements regulatory mechanisms to prevent and control the spread of plant pests within Canada. This may include prohibiting or restricting the movement of persons or things into or out of infested areas and requirements to treat. For an established site to be deemed officially eradicated, there must be a minimum of five consecutive years of no detections of the regulated invasive plant. This timeline ensures that the seed bank is exhausted and that there is no reemergence.

5. General requirements

Individuals or companies can confirm the phytosanitary requirements with the CFIA through one or more of the following means:

  • contacting their local CFIA office
  • applying for an import permit
  • consulting the Automated Import Reference System

The phytosanitary requirements stipulated in this directive are specific to controlling the entry and spread of regulated terrestrial pest plants and NAPPRA species only. Additional requirements may exist for other pests and commodities under other federal, provincial or municipal regulations.

5.1 Importation

All imported shipments must be free from regulated pest plants and NAPPRA species and meet Canadian phytosanitary requirements. Importation of regulated pest plants and their propagative parts is prohibited unless authorized in a CFIA-issued Import Permit.

Import of devitalized material may be accepted if regulated pest plants or plant parts have been rendered non-viable. Prior approval is required before importation. An application should be presented to the CFIA in accordance with policy directive D-97-04: Application, procedures, issuance and use of a permit to import under the Plant Protection Act. An acceptable treatment method should result in complete devitalization. Any devitalization treatment proposed should be done at origin prior to importation and proof of treatment must accompany the shipment.

The CFIA may consider and authorize in writing the import of a regulated pest plant and NAPPRA species for special purposes, such as:

  • scientific research
  • educational purposes,
  • processing
  • industrial use
  • exhibition purposes

The CFIA's decision to permit such activities will take several factors into account. These factors include the applicant's ability and willingness to comply with phytosanitary conditions. The applicant must take every precaution to prevent the spread of pest plants.

5.1.1 Specific requirements to import niger seed or buckwheat hulls to Canada for all end uses

Niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) hulls are a pathway of entry for the three parasitic regulated plants. As a result, a Phytosanitary Certificate is required to import these commodities into Canada. The Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the shipment. It must also specify the shipment was treated to devitalize propagules or seeds of parasitic plants that may be present in the shipment.

The following declaration must appear on the Phytosanitary Certificate:

"Material has been heat treated to 121°C for 15 minutes".

The addition of this section supersedes the previous Directive D-98-06: Interim Import Requirements of Parasitic Plants: Cuscuta, Striga and Orobanche, which is no longer in effect.

5.2 Domestic movement

Unintentional and intentional domestic movement of regulated pest plants and their propagative parts is prohibited. Things contaminated with such species are also subject to domestic phytosanitary measures. These measures may include:

  • movement restrictions
  • restriction of use
  • treatment
  • surveillance
  • monitoring

The CFIA may consider and authorize in writing the domestic transfer of a regulated pest plant for special purposes, such as:

  • scientific research
  • educational purposes
  • processing
  • industrial use
  • exhibition purposes

The CFIA's decision to permit such activities will consider several factors. One factor is the applicant's ability and willingness to comply with phytosanitary conditions. The applicant must also take every precaution to prevent the spread of pest plants.

For requests related to pest plants sourced within Canada, contact your local CFIA office.

6. Non-compliance

Pest plants or consignments that are contaminated with regulated plants or otherwise non-compliant may be subject to CFIA regulatory action. This may include:

  • the shipment being removed from Canada
  • the shipment being destroyed
  • the shipment may be ordered to undergo treatment to prevent the spread of pests prior to disposal

Import permits and written authorizations may be revoked. This may occur if the applicant does not comply with the conditions of the permit or authorization. Revocation may also occur if the applicant does not comply with the provisions of the Plant Protection Act and Plant Protection Regulations. The importer is responsible for all costs related to:

  • treatment
  • disposal
  • removal
  • re-routing

The importer is also responsible for any costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor these actions.

Notifications of non-compliance will be issued to the exporting country for imports found to be non-compliant.

7. References

7.1 Other legislative authorities that may apply

In additional to authorities specified in section 1., importation of plants and plant products may also be subject to other acts and regulations. These may include:

CFIA acts and regulations:

Other federal acts and regulations may apply. Importers are responsible for complying with the requirements of other federal agencies. Provinces, territories and municipalities may have legislation relating to pest plants, such as Weed Control Acts. Relevant authorities should be contacted for information about those requirements.

7.2 Fees

The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the CFIA Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported products, contact your local CFIA office or visit the CFIA's Fees Notice website.

7.3 Supporting documents

For information on invasive plants contact CFIA-IAS_ACIA-EEE@inspection.gc.ca.

Appendix 1: Regulated pest plants

The following table lists regulated pest plants with their scientific name and common name. In addition to the following listed pests, shipments must be free from all other pests on the List of pests regulated by Canada.Footnote 1

Scientific name Common name
1 Aegilops cylindrica jointed goatgrass
2 Alopecurus myosuroides slender foxtail
3 Arundo donax giant reed
4 Centaurea iberica Iberian starthistle
5 Centaurea solstitialis yellow starthistle
6 Crupina vulgaris common crupina
7 Cuscuta spp. (except C. campestris, C. cephalanthi, C. coryli, C. gronovii, C. indecora, C. pacifica, C. pentagona, C. polygonorum and C. umbrosa)Table Note a dodders (except field dodder, buttonbush dodder, hazel dodder, swamp dodder, large alfalfa dodder, large saltmarsh dodder, five-angled dodder, smartweed dodder and large-fruit dodder)
8 Dioscorea polystachya Chinese yam
9 Echium plantagineum Paterson's curse
10 Eriochloa villosa woolly cup grass
11 Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass
12 Nassella trichotoma serrated tussock
13 Orobanche spp. (except O. californica, O. corymbosa, O. fasciculata, O. ludoviciana, O. pinorum and O. uniflora)Table Note a broomrapes (except California broomrape, flat-top broomrape, clustered broomrape, Louisiana broomrape, pine broomrape and one-flowered broomrape)
14 Paspalum dilatatum Dallis grass
15 Persicaria perfoliata devil's-tail tearthumb
16 Pueraria montana kudzu
17 Senecio inaequidens South African ragwort
18 Senecio madagascariensis Madagascar ragwort
19 Solanum elaeagnifolium silverleaf nightshade
20 Striga spp.Table Note a witchweeds
21 Zygophyllum fabago Syrian bean-caper

Appendix 2: Potentially invasive plants – Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis (NAPPRA)

The following table lists potential invasive plants with their scientific name and common name. These species are prohibited entry until a pest risk analysis is completed.Footnote 2

Scientific name Common name
1 Ageratum conyzoides billygoat-weed
2 Asphodelus fistulosus onionweed
3 Asphodelus tenuifolius (syn. Asphodelus fistulosus var. tenuifolius) onionweed
4 Bryonia alba white bryony
5 Cenchrus echinatus southern sandbur
6 Cyperus rotundus purple nutsedge
7 Euphorbia cyathophora fire on the mountain
8 Euphorbia terracina Geraldton carnation weed
9 Falcaria vulgaris sickleweed
10 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern
11 Persicaria bungeana prickly smartweed
12 Sideritis montana mountain ironwort
13 Triadica sebifera Chinese tallowtree
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