Phytosanitary certificate

A buyer of a nursery, greenhouse or produce business that ships plants abroad meets this certificate in the export file. The process is federal. See buying a nursery and sod operation in Canada.

What the CFIA and the Act say

The CFIA says a certificate certifies that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles it covers have been inspected, are considered free from quarantine pests and conform with the importing country’s current phytosanitary regulations, and that it facilitates trade but is not a trade document. It takes applications on form CFIA/ACIA 3369 for all countries, and through My CFIA for export inspection and electronic certification for consignments to the United States and Mexico. Section 7 of the Plant Protection Act bars exporting a thing that is a pest, is or could be infested with a pest, or is or could be a biological obstacle to pest control unless, among other conditions, the person has produced to an inspector all permits, certificates and other documentation required by the regulations. The CFIA’s policy directive D-99-06 covers issuing, replacing and refusing certificates.

What to check or ask

• Ask which countries the business ships to and what each requires.
• Ask whether the My CFIA account and export records stay with the entity being bought. See import-export program account.
• Ask for past certificates and any refusals or replacements.
• Confirm current requirements with the CFIA.