What we heard report – Phase 1 consultation on Canada's proposed changes to grades and requirements for greenhouse cucumbers, greenhouse tomatoes and greenhouse mini cucumbers

On this page

• Phase 1 overview
• Who we heard from
• What we heard
• Next steps

Phase 1 overview

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing changes to grades and requirements for greenhouse cucumbers and greenhouse tomatoes and introduced a new standard for greenhouse mini cucumbers. The proposed changes aim to modernize and harmonize existing grade requirements relating to the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Grades and requirements are outlined in the "Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables" and incorporated by reference into the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), administered and enforced by the CFIA. The objective of the proposed changes is to reflect the following market needs:

• changes in consumer demand and demographics
• developments in technology and innovation, including but not limited to plant and variety breeding
• improved and innovative production practices, storage and packing technologies
• harmonization of standards with international trading partners, and
• new grade standards where there are none existing and for which industry consensus has been achieved

In response to these market needs, the proposed changes include new size requirements, clarifications to terminology for defects and tolerances, and the introduction of new standards for certain commodities.

Phase 1 of the consultation was open for comments from October 29 to December 31, 2021. This report summarizes the feedback received and the next steps for finalizing new grade standards.

Who we heard from

The CFIA received feedback from 1 national industry association, 2 provincial industry associations, and 2 trading partners during the consultation period.

What we heard

Overall, respondents welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback and supported the proposed changes. Industry associations supported CFIA efforts to modernize and harmonize existing grade requirements. Comments relating to the transition and implementation of the proposed changes were also received. The following are highlights of what we heard:

Greenhouse cucumbers

• 1 association asked for:
  • a decrease in the length requirements for "small" and "medium" Canada No. 1 grade
  • the addition of new minimum average weight requirements for "small" and "medium" Canada No. 1 grade
  • the addition of new diameter requirements for "small", "medium", "large" and "extra-large" Canada No. 1 grade if packaged and sold in batches of 1 dozen or more per package
• 2 other associations reiterated their desire for the deletion of the 10% general tolerance for the packages in a lot
• 1 trading partner requested that the proposed changes be aligned with a specific national standard concerning the marketing and commercial quality of cucumbers
• 1 trading partner wrote to confirm that its exports to Canada would not be affected by these changes

Greenhouse tomatoes

• 1 association asked that the:
  • definition of "mature" prepackaged tomatoes be applied uniformly across all regions of Canada regardless of growing location
  • minimum diameter requirements for field pear and plum type tomatoes be also applied to greenhouse pear and plum type tomatoes
• 1 trading partner requested that the proposed changes be aligned with a specific national standard concerning the marketing and commercial quality of tomatoes

Greenhouse mini cucumbers

• 1 association asked for an increase in the minimum length requirements for Canada No. 1 grade
• 2 other associations reiterated their desire for deletion of the 10% general tolerance for the packages in a lot

Next steps

The CFIA is considering these comments in preparation for the publication of the final amendments to the grades and requirements for greenhouse cucumbers and greenhouse tomatoes. Before the final publication, the CFIA will:

• work with associations, trading partners and the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) to determine if the comments received warrant any changes to the proposal and to encourage industry consensus around a final set of grades and requirements
• conduct a final technical and legal analysis of the comments received
• consider inclusion of additional detail in the standards taken from previous CFIA inspection manuals