D- 96-07: Import Requirements for Screenings and Grain and Seed for Cleaning

Effective Date: December 1, 2023
(6th Revision)

Subject

This directive specifies the phytosanitary requirements for:

  • screenings imported into Canada to be pelletized or milled for animal feed; and
  • screenings generated from the cleaning of seed or grain that has been imported into Canada.

This directive has been revised to reflect current formatting standards and include options to import seed and grain from off-continent for cleaning in Canada.

This directive supersedes D-96-07 (5th Revision)

Table of contents

Introduction

The cleaning of grain or seed after harvest removes separable foreign materials (for example screenings) such as weed seeds, other grains, straw, chaff, hulls, soil, etc. Screenings have economic value as feed for livestock, but when they are imported or generated from foreign origin seed or grain, they present a high risk for the entry of pests not known to occur in Canada and are regulated to prevent these pests from establishing here.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by importers, and CFIA and Canada Border Services Agency personnel to prevent the introduction into, and spread in Canada of regulated plant pests or soil. It is a guide to Canadian phytosanitary requirements that must be met by persons or entities who import or handle screenings for further processing or generate screenings from the cleaning of imported seed or grain in Canada.

Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms

Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant health glossary of terms.

General requirements

1.1 Legislative authority

The legislative documents listed below are available at the Department of Justice Canada Website:

  • Plant Protection Act
  • Plant Protection Regulations
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I(as amended from time to time)

1.2 Regulated pests

Imports into Canada must be free from soil and pests on the List of Pests Regulated by Canada, unless this condition is waived by way of an import permit issued under the Plant Protection Regulations.

1.3 Regulated commodities

  • Non-processed screenings of foreign origin;
  • Grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops where the requirements for the import to arrive free of regulated weed seeds or soil have been waived in a permit issued under the Plant Protection Act.

1.4 Regulated areas

All countries.

2.0 Import requirements

2.1 Regulated end uses

Specific commodities and their import requirements are listed on the CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). Import requirements often depend on the end use of the commodity. If imported grain is ultimately intended for human consumption or livestock feed, but will be cleaned in Canada prior to being made available for food or feed purposes, the CFIA requires the importer to declare the end use as "for cleaning" as this is the first use after importation. Similarly, for seed imports that are intended for sale or distribution in Canada, if they will be cleaned prior to sale, the end use that needs to be declared at the time of importation is "for cleaning" and not "for propagation".

Commodities destined for use in livestock feed after cleaning may also be subject to restrictions to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever into Canada. Please see Importers: understanding feed controls to prevent African swine fever for further information.

2.2 Specific requirements

Phytosanitary requirements in this directive reflect the requirements of the Plant Protection Act and Regulations. It is the importer's responsibility to ensure that the things that they import also comply with the requirements of other Canadian statutes, such as the Seeds Act or the Feeds Act.

2.2.1 Imports from the continental U.S.

An import permit issued under the Plant Protection Regulations is required for:

  • screenings imported for processing in Canada
  • grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops that are imported for cleaning in Canada, and are not accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate at the time of importation.

An import permit will not be issued unless the screenings or the grain or seed to be cleaned are destined for an approved facility in Canada. In order to receive facility approval, importers must complete the "Application to handle or import screenings resulting from the cleaning of seed or grain from the Continental U.S." (Appendix 1). This application must be submitted to the importer's local CFIA office for approval.

The following conditions of import apply to all non-processed screenings that are imported from the Continental U.S., and to grain or seed that is imported from the Continental U.S. for cleaning in Canada. The material must:

  • be transported in a manner that prevents spills, scattering or unauthorized spread; and,
  • be routed directly to an approved facility for handling and treatment according to the conditions appearing on the import permit used to bring the material into Canada.

Unprocessed and residual materials remaining at an approved facility must be contained and disposed of in a manner acceptable to a CFIA inspector. Acceptable disposal options for screenings produced from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from the U.S. may include processing for animal feed or re-exporting the screenings back to the U.S.

2.2.2 Imports from off-continent

  • imports of screenings are prohibited

An import permit issued under the Plant Protection Regulations is required for:

  • grain and seed of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and other field crops that are imported for cleaning in Canada, and are not accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate at the time of importation.

An import permit will not be issued unless the grain or seed to be cleaned is destined for an approved facility in Canada. In order to receive facility approval, importers must complete the "Application to handle screenings resulting from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from off-continent" (Appendix 2). This application must be submitted to the importer's local CFIA office for approval.

The following conditions for import of grain or seed from off continent for cleaning apply in all cases. The material must:

  • be transported in a manner that prevents spills, scattering or unauthorized spread; and,
  • be routed directly to an approved facility for handling and treatment according to the conditions appearing on the import permit used to bring the material to Canada.

Unprocessed and residual materials remaining at the approved facility must be contained and disposed of in a manner acceptable to a CFIA inspector. Screenings generated from the cleaning of seed or grain imported from off-continent must be disposed of by incineration or deep burial at a licensed landfill or other method that the CFIA has determined to be effective for preventing the spread of pests. Screenings generated from seed or grain imported from off-continent are not permitted to be used for the production of animal feed in Canada nor are they eligible for re-export from Canada.

3.0 Inspection requirements

3.1 Product inspection

Shipments of regulated commodities, imported into or moving within Canada, are subject to inspection by a CFIA inspector, and may be sampled and tested for regulated pests and soil. Additional phytosanitary measures may be ordered if regulated pests are identified during these inspections.

3.2 Facility inspections

A facility approved to receive imported screenings, or imported grain or seed for cleaning in Canada, is subject to CFIA inspections. These inspections may be conducted to confirm that the facility is carrying out the procedures identified in their application made using the form in either Appendix 1 or 2 of this directive. Inspections may also be conducted to verify that facilities are complying with the conditions set out in their import permit.

4.0 Non-compliance

Shipments that do not meet phytosanitary requirements may be refused entry or movement, returned to origin, re-exported, treated or destroyed at the importer's or shipper's expense. These expenses also include, but are not limited to, costs associated with quarantine actions resulting from accidental contamination caused by shipments during transport, and seizure, confiscation and forfeiture of shipments.

The permit to import may be cancelled if an importer/shipper does not comply with the conditions of the permit.

5.0 References

5.1 Fees

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported products, please contact the National Import Service Centre (NISC). For other information regarding fees, please contact any CFIA office or visit the Fees Notice website

5.2 Supporting documents

  • D-97-04: Application, procedures, issuance and use of a Permit to Import under the Plant Protection Act
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