Subject: Re: [NAFEX] About these US-Canadian import-export controls
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 09:01:01 -0600
Getting an import permit in Canada requires the completion of an application
spelling out exactly what you are importing, payment of a administration
fee, waiting up to 2 months for approval, and finally requires that the
exporter produce a phyto-sanitary certificate to help ensure that the plant
material being sent does carry any known viruses.
We can import certain plants such as Kiwi without a permit, because Kiwi is
not found naturally in the wild. But, try getting any Prunus here, and you
are in for a difficult time.
Honestly, I think using the border is just the convenient location to place
such a preventative measure. You also see borders used as such within the
U.S. and in Canada, where you can't ship certain items to California, Oregon
and British Columbia.
I've have said that the bugs or viruses don't recognize borders. In my
opinion, I think it goes a little too far in some cases, BUT I would
certainly feel horrible if I spread Plum Pox Virus, for example. When
exchanging plant material, even with your next door neighbor, you take your
chances that everything is healthy. It's a difficult decision to make.