I am trying to buy some plants (grape) from a supplier in the US. The plants are certified and therefore allowed to be shipped to Canada. The supplier has asked me to provide an "import permit" in order for him to get a FIDO permit. Does anyone know how to go about obtaining the "import permit"? I've ordered plants from the US before and have never been asked for such an item and can only assume there are restrictions on importing grape vines.
Re: This Forum Closed To New Threads You have some reading to do. See below: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/impe.shtml Please post your findings here. I am interested in getting some fig cuttings from fig hobbyists or nurseries in US but they think pemit may be required or Phyto-certificate etc for just wood with no leaves and no roots and the wood cutting already sanitized! Our lab standards are the same. Besides tons and tons of soil is airborn across the border. The wheels of trucks and cars carry a lot of mud across the border every day but a sanitized wood cutting for a hobbyist not allowed! NAFTA did not help the hobbyists. It was for the benefits of the big corporations. One can go on and on for the beaurocratic hurdle for which there could be easy solutions but hobbyists do not have paid big lobbies to help them.
Re: Fruit and Nut Tree Growers BC This is a phytosanitary certificate. It is quite common and is a necessity for most plant imports into B.C. While not difficult, it can be very time consuming at the border - my best advice, find a nursery or garden centre that will do it for you and pay them for their time. It will save you lots of time and energy! Mike :)
Re: Fruit and Nut Tree Growers BC I thought that the supplier provided the phytosanitary permit and what I need is the import permit due to the nature of the grape vines....
Re: Fruit and Nut Tree Growers BC Could be, i'm no expert on the matter, but most people who do it on their own end up pulling their hair out of their heads because it gets frustrating at times (grin) Mike:)
A place to start: CFIA: Rob Ormrod Western Program Network - Horticulture Specialist Kelowna, British Columbia Telephone: 250-470-4893 ext. 142 Barbara Peterson Western Program Network - Horticulture Specialist Burnaby, British Columbia Telephone: 604-666-3826 Ralph
Thanks for your advice and suggestions... I did find the necessary information on the cfia site and used their handy dandy AUTOMATED IMPORT REFERENCE SYSTEM (AIRS) to obtain the correct identification necessary to proceed. I then downloaded the pdf of the "Application For Permit to Import Plants and Other Things Under the Plant Protection Act" and tried to print it only to discover that it required 8 1/2 x 14 inch paper (which I don't have) and then after filling the information out I need to send $35 and wait +/ 6 weeks for the certificate to arrive. Due to the nature of the plants they must be bare root and treated also.... boy this is a lot of trouble for the average gardener!
So to clarify a bit, phytosanitary certificates are from the country of origin. Import permits are legal permission to import and deal in particular plants (generally required for important agricultural plants or plants related to agricultural commodities of the country requiring the permit) and these are issued by the government of the country that the commodity is being imported to. The CFIA website does have an automated system that can be used to determine if plants are prohibited or restricted and what type of paperwork is necessary. When in doubt it is best to call them for info. The numbers are listed on the website.
I 'export' things across the border all the time....to Point Roberts! Get your phyto certificate ....call 604-666-2891 press 1 for English press 1 again for plant info they will fax you necessary form then you go with your plants to their office to receive phyto certificate Burnaby Office CFIA 4321 Stillcreek Drive Burnaby
Thanks for all your sage advice! I did receive my import permit (about 3 months late as the permit apparently was lost in the bureaucracy). Unfortunately, this meant I could not have the bare-root plants (a necessity) this year as they were no longer dormant. Oh well, the permit can be used repeatedly, but a year lost in precious growing time is frustrating!
after nearly two years of trying to import wine grape vines from Quality Nursery I have been told that the root dipping chemicals are unavailable and thus the vines cannot be shipped.... very frustrating and disappointing! Please, any suggestions on obtaining wine grape vines that grow in the Vancouver area lower mainland without having to go through the importation route??
I'm looking for a white and a red wine grape that will be on the hardy side to grow in the lower mainland area near Vancouver. We don't get the amount of sun days that one would get in the Kelowna area. I would be looking at obtaining about 15 vines of each type if available. I had ordered a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Franc from Quality Nursery in Washington State, but as I mentioned earlier, there was an issue that disallowed shipping to Canada.
