Invasive plants in Canada

Invasive plants are plant species that can be harmful when introduced into new areas. These species can invade agricultural and natural areas, causing serious damage to Canada's economy and environment.

Invasive plants in crops and pastures cost an estimated $2.2 billion each year by reducing crop yields and quality, and increasing costs of weed control and harvesting.

What the CFIA is doing about invasive plants

As Canada's national plant protection organization, the CFIA:

• regulates the import, sale and movement of plants into, and within, Canada;
• monitors imports to prevent entry of invasive plants; and
• conducts surveillance to determine if an invasive plant is here, or to confirm that an area is free of a specific invasive plant.

The invasive plants regulated under the Plant Protection Act are included in the list of Pests Regulated by Canada. The invasive plants regulated under the Seeds Act are listed in the Weed Seeds Order, 2016.

What information is available?

• D-12-01: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction of plants regulated as pests in Canada
• Fact sheets
• Invasive Plants Policy
• Invasive Plants Field Guide
• Notice of decision: Arundo donax (giant reed) a regulated pest plant for Canada
• Plant Pest Surveillance
• Plant pest cards
• Questions and Answers
• Reports
  • Invasive Alien Plants in Canada - Summary Report (Library and Archives Canada)
  • Invasive Alien Plants in Canada - Technical Report (Library and Archives Canada)
• Reporting and disposing of unsolicited seeds
• Weed Risk Analysis Documents