Grower groups plan to monitor new protocols for Canadian produce bound for U.S. markets that could increase hold and inspection rates.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will implement an automated protocol Feb. 1 to enforce increased inspection requirements set out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s federal animal and plant health inspection service.
In 2007, the U.S. customs agency changed the rules so that Canadian fruit and vegetables were no longer exempt from border inspection requirements.
The change was based on evidence that imports that had been banned from other countries were being shipped through Canada into the United States.
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Glen Lucas, general manager of the British Columbia Fruit Growers Association, said potential delays are a problem for fresh food markets.
Close to half of B.C. apples are exported to the western United States, Mexico and offshore markets, with the rest sold in Canada.
“Any time things are held on fresh products, it’s a problem, an issue,” he said.
“It’s something to be avoided. We are concerned and need to work through it but we don’t want to be alarmed about it at this stage.”
Lucas said such changes crop up every few years and most are worked out through consultations with the B.C. tree fruit industry or the Canadian Horticultural Council.
Issues are resolved through consultation and often with pressure exerted by U.S. buyers who value Canadian produce.
Horticultural council vice-president Anne Fowlie was uncertain how the new protocol will affect growers. She planned to discuss it with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in early January.
