Richardson International has been fined $50,000 for breaking export regulations in 2009 and 2010.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said that between May 21, 2009, and Nov. 9, 2010, Richardson International shipped almost 68,000 tonnes of soybeans to Russia without the required phytosanitary certificates.
Richardson International pleaded guilty to contravening the Plant Protection Regulations. Other charges were stayed.
According to the CFIA, “subsection 55(2) of the Plant Protection Regulations indicates that no person shall export from Canada any thing for which a Canadian Phytosanitary Certificate, Canadian Phytosanitary Certificate for Re-export or any other document is required by the phytosanitary certification authorities in the country of final destination, unless the appropriate document is issued by an inspector.”
