Vietnam has removed creeping thistle from its quarantine pest list, effective Sept. 29.
The weed had been on Vietnam’s list of phytosanitary restrictions on wheat since 2018. It included all countries where creeping thistle can be found.
Creeping thistle is also known as Canada thistle or field thistle, and is a perennial plant found across Canada, the United States and Europe.
Canadian wheat exports to Vietnam fell in 2021 to slightly more than 20,000 tonnes from more than 200,000 tonnes per year after the weed was added to the list.
Dean Dias, chief executive officer of Cereals Canada, said the organization was pleased with the decision.
“With creeping thistle on the quarantine pest list, Canadian grain cargoes faced the risk of commercial penalty,” he said in a news release. “This change means that exports of Canadian cereals to Vietnam will be able to resume in bulk shipment for the first time since 2018.”
