OTTAWA, February 26, 2010 – Effective February 24, tomatoes entering Canada from countries where tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is known to occur will have to meet new interim requirements developed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
These requirements include a phytosanitary certificate with a declaration that the tomatoes
- originated from an area free of the pest in the country where tomato leafminer is known to occur, and
- were inspected and found free of tomato leafminer.
Shipments not meeting this requirement will be refused entry into Canada.
These requirements currently apply to greenhouse and field tomatoes from the following countries: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Kuwait, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Tomatoes that are grown in a country that is not infested with tomato leafminer do not require a phytosanitary certificate. However, the country of production must be clearly indicated on the shipping documents.
Following the implementation of these interim measures, longer term requirements will be developed. The CFIA will consult with stakeholders in developing appropriate risk management options.
The CFIA> has determined that tomato leafminer is a damaging pest that is rapidly spreading in several countries. As a result, tomato leafminer is now a regulated pest for Canada. The CFIA will take appropriate actions if it is detected in any shipments. These new measures are necessary in order to mitigate the risk of this pest becoming established in Canada.
Industry plays an important role in mitigating the risk of introducing this pest to Canada. In this regard, it is a key best practice not to bring tomatoes into the vicinity of greenhouses if the tomatoes were imported from countries where tomato leafminer is known to occur.
Tomato leafminer is a small moth that primarily attacks tomato crops, although it has also been reported on peppers, eggplants and common beans. Tomato leafminer is considered a key pest in many countries because it is capable of severely damaging tomato production.
For more information on the policy directive (D-10-01), please visit the CFIA website.
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For more information:
National CFIA spokesperson:
Rob Ormrod
Kelowna, British Colombia
250-470-4893
