Canadian horticulture products facing random border inspections

Canadian Nursery & Landscape Association reports that trucks loaded with ornamental plant products headed for the U.S. are being unloaded for additional inspections. The inspections conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection appear to be random in nature. No specific nursery or floriculture products are being targeted. The association said all paperwork requirements, including phytosanitary certificates, during the inspections have been acknowledged to be completely in order.

The reason cited for the complete unloading of the trucks relates to the health and safety requirements of the inspectors who are not able to complete full inspections in a safe manner. The re-loading of trucks is at the full responsibility and cost of the nursery and/or greenhouse.

The association said the extra inspections are not related to the actions of Canadian Food Inspection Agency or USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. CNLA has sought assistance from CFIA and Agriculture and Agri-Food to determine the cause of the additional inspections.