While many orchardists in BC find it tough to source clean plant material to renew and expand their orchards, nurseries in Canada export a significant number of fruit and nut trees to orchardists in the US.
To ensure stock remains clean, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has spent the past few weeks soliciting feedback regarding the Canadian Fruit Tree Export Program (CFTEP) for apple, pear, quince and Prunus species.
“We are reaching out to program participants and industry members to better understand how the program is being used, and any challenges that participants have encountered,” the agency says. “This feedback will help to inform future updates to the CFTEP, and ensure that both industry needs and export obligations are being met.”
CFTEP is an audit-based program rooted in integrated pest risk management (IPM) measures for the certification of fruit trees. It is designed to be compatible with the Canadian Nursery Certification Program and future revisions will aim to harmonize it both with the CNCP and similar programs in the US.
The current consultation ends April 30.
By ensuring an effective certification program, CFIA helps guarantee trade in clean plant material and the success of Canada’s nursery sector.
Canada exported $35.6 million worth of edible fruit and nut trees in 2021, primarily to the US. Of this, BC accounted for $8.8 million worth, led by the US at $8.6 million. China is the second-largest importer of Canadian fruit and nut trees, all of which come from BC at $243,000.
There is a future for BC’s apple industry