Biosecurity Standard for the Fruit and Tree Nut Industry Now Available
News Release
March 8, 2016, Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and partner organizations, has developed new voluntary biosecurity standard that will help protect Canada's fruit and tree nut industry from plant pests and diseases.
In 2014, the CFIA, AAFC and industry partners established the Fruit and Tree Nut Biosecurity Advisory Committee to develop a farm-level biosecurity standard. This voluntary standard provides a common approach to controlling plant pests and diseases in the fruit and tree nut industry. A producer guidance document, which will support the new standard, is currently under development.
The standard for the fruit and nut tree industry:
- provides guidelines for biosecurity, including prevention and integrated pest management;
- promotes a consistent approach across the country for mitigating the risks with clear guidelines for effective biosecurity;
- enhances industry's knowledge of the risks associated with pests and diseases; and
- helps identify potential gaps in current biosecurity measures.
Producers may adopt the standard in its entirety or use portions of it to supplement existing biosecurity programs. Funding to develop the standard has been provided under the Growing Forward 2 Agricultural Policy Framework.
Quotes
"The Canadian Horticultural Council is pleased to have supported the CFIA as industry co-chair in the development of the Fruit and Tree Nut Biosecurity Standard. Members have actively participated in its development with the primary goal of raising awareness of the importance of on-farm biosecurity. The Standard helps you in assessing your current biosecurity measures and where applicable in adopting additional measures to safeguard your farm and those around you against the introduction and spread of pests, diseases and unwanted weeds. Thank you to the CFIA for leading this important initiative."
Brian Gilroy, Chair, Canadian Horticultural Council Apple and Fruit Committee
"This standard will help the fruit and tree nut industry to continue to bring good food to grocery stores, lunch bags and tables. The development of this standard, a collaboration between government and industry, contributes to a strong and healthy environment."
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture
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Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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