Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.
A copy of the import permit must be presented to an Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.
Plants must be exported bare rooted
Plants from areas other than the continental U.S. must be entirely free from soil. The maximum permitted is a thin film of dust as might be left by dirty wash water. Any thicker film, patch or clump of soil constitutes a non-compliance and is grounds for refusing the material.
Growing media, including soil-free growing media, is considered equivalent to soil and is prohibited unless the plants are produced under the Canadian Growing Media Program (see directive D-96-20).
Note:
Australia currently does not have an agreement with Canada in relation to the Canadian Growing Media Program.
Plants with roots must be certified as free from the following soil-borne pests:
-
Potato wart disease (Synchitrium endobioticum) – not present in Australia
- Golden cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) – not present in Australia
- Potato cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) – present in Australia
The following methods may be used to ensure that plants with roots are free from these pests:
-
The pest is known not to occur in the country of origin of the material.
- The material is grown in soil where, based on official soil surveys or other precautionary practices, the pest is known not to occur.
- The material is grown in sterile, soil-free growing media and produced under conditions that preclude infestation by the pest.
Where applicable, the exporter is to provide evidence attesting to the endorsement and present it to the Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.
The third option will require a Statutory Declaration to be supplied by the exporter attesting to the requirements
