D-17-03: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of Rhagoletis cerasi (European cherry fruit fly)

Effective date: June 1st, 2023
2nd Revision

Subject

This directive describes import and domestic phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction to and spread within Canada of Rhagoletis cerasi (European cherry fruit fly).

The following changes have been made under this revision:

  • Expansion of the regulated area to include the province of Quebec.

This document supersedes all previous versions of directive D-17-03.

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1.0 Legislative authority

Plant Protection Act (S.C. 1990, c. 22)
Plant Protection Regulations (SOR/95-212)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I (as amended from time to time)

2.0 Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms

Definitions of terms used in the present document can be found in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA's) Plant Health Glossary of Terms.

3.0 Introduction

In 2016, Rhagoletis cerasi (European cherry fruit fly), a regulated pest to Canada, was detected for the first time in Canada. In Ontario, this insect has been found in association with invasive Lonicera spp. and wild Prunus spp. In 2022, the insect was detected in association with Lonicera spp. in 2 urban parks in Montreal, QC. Rhagoletis cerasi has not been detected in association with commercial cherry or Lonicera spp., fruit production anywhere in Canada.

Rhagoletis cerasi was first detected in New York State in 2017. The United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has implemented official control measures in the areas where R. cerasi has been detected.

Rhagoletis cerasi is a serious pest of cherry production in Europe. Damage is caused by larval feeding on the fruit pulp. Fresh fruit from host plants produced in areas where this pest occurs is a potential pathway for this pest.

Due to sensitivity to spring frosts and summer rains, sweet cherries (Prunus avium) can only be grown in a few temperate regions in Canada. More than 90% of Canada's commercial fresh, sweet cherry production is in the southern-interior of British Columbia. Most of the remaining sweet cherry orchards are located in southern Ontario. Southern Ontario is the main production area for sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) in Canada; however, there is also some production across the country. Sour cherry fruit is generally processed locally and sold as frozen product.

4.0 Scope

4.1 Regulated pest

  • Rhagoletis cerasi L; European cherry fruit fly

See the List of pests regulated by Canada.

Note: The CFIA may take action on articles found to be infested with pests of potential quarantine concern even if they are not yet included on this list.

4.2 Regulated articles

  • Fresh cherry fruit, including sweet cherries (Prunus avium), sour cherries (P. cerasus), mahaleb cherries (P. mahaleb), and black cherries (P. serotina).

Note: These articles may also be subject to other requirements in addition to those specific to the scope of this directive. Please consult the list of all Plant Health directives or the CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) for more information.

4.3 Articles exempt

  • Processed  fruit (frozen, canned, dried or processed in another way that mitigates pest risk)

4.4 Articles outside the scope of this directive

  • Prunus spp. nursery stock

Note: Requirements for these articles may exist in other directives. Please consult the list of all Plant Health directives or the CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) for more information.

4.5 Regulated areas

  • Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada
  • State of New York, United States

5.0 Phytosanitary import requirements

5.1 Quarantine areas of New York State to any province in Canada

The importation of regulated articles to Canada from quarantine areas in the United States is prohibited.

5.2 New York State to British Columbia

The importation of regulated articles from regulated areas in the United States to British Columbia is prohibited.

5.3 Non-quarantine areas of New York State to provinces other than British Columbia

Regulated articles may be moved from non-quarantine areas of New York State in the United States to Canadian provinces other than British Columbia if they were produced in a commercial orchard that is located outside a quarantine area and that applied control measures for fruit flies. A Phytosanitary Certificate is required and may only be issued after verifying that appropriate control measures were applied and after inspecting the fruit in the consignment and finding it free of cherry fruit flies (Rhagoletis spp.).

The following additional declaration must be included on the Phytosanitary Certificate:

"The fruit in this consignment was produced in a commercial orchard that applied control measures for fruit flies and was inspected and found free from Rhagoletis cerasi (European cherry fruit fly)."

5.4 States other than New York to any province in Canada

Regulated articles that are produced in states other than New York may be imported to Canada without a phytosanitary certificate provided that the State of origin is clearly indicated on the packaging and on the paperwork accompanying the consignment.

It is recommended that the following statement be included on the bill-of-lading or other shipping documents:

"THE SHIPPER CERTIFIES THAT THE CHERRIES IN THIS CONSIGNMENT WERE PRODUCED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE STATE OF XXXXX, UNITED STATES."

6.0 Domestic movement requirements

6.1 Regulated areas to British Columbia

The movement of regulated articles to British Columbia is prohibited.

6.2 Regulated areas to provinces other than British Columbia

Regulated articles may only be moved to provinces other than British Columbia if they were produced in a commercial orchard that applied control measures for fruit flies. The CFIA will issue a Movement Certificate based on verifying that appropriate control measures were applied to control fruit flies and after inspecting the fruit in the consignment and finding it free of cherry fruit flies (Rhagoletis spp.).

A CFIA Movement Certificate which includes the following statement is required:

"The fruit in this consignment was produced in a commercial orchard that applied control measures for fruit flies and was inspected and found free from Rhagoletis cerasi (European cherry fruit fly)."

7.0 Non-compliance

Imported articles may be inspected by the CFIA and must meet all requirements when reaching their first point of arrival in Canada. Articles that are found to be infested with pests of quarantine concern or are otherwise non-compliant will be refused entry to Canada, and may be ordered removed from the country or destroyed. Infested articles may be ordered treated prior to disposal to prevent the spread of pests.

The importer is responsible for all costs relating to treatment, disposal or removal of the articles, including costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken.

The CFIA will advise the National Plant Protection Organization of the country of origin and/or re-export of any non-compliance as per directive D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action.

8.0 References

8.1 Fees

The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees, contact your local CFIA office or visit the CFIA's Fees Notice website.

8.2 Supporting documents

Rhagoletis cerasi (European Cherry Fruit Fly) - Fact Sheet

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