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Questions and Answers - Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plant Pests

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Q1. What is the purpose of the Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plant Pests?

The Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plant Pests (CSFHPP) describe the minimum acceptable physical and operational requirements for facilities working with plant pests (other than weeds). The CSFHPP do not apply to soil, genetically modified plants, and biological control insects. Four containment levels are described, including: Basic, Plant Pest Containment (PPC) Level 1, PPC-2, and PPC-3.

Q2. Why does my facility need to meet the physical and operational requirements of the Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plant Pests?

The CFIA, under the authority of the Plant Protection Act, strives to protect plant life and the agricultural and forestry sectors of the Canadian economy by preventing the importation, exportation and spread of pests, and by controlling or eradicating pests in Canada. The Plant Protection Act and Regulations authorize the CFIA to prohibit or restrict the movement into, within, and out of Canada of any plant pest or other thing that is or could be infested with a pest, or is or could be a biological obstacle to the control of a plant pest. This effort includes the need to contain and control plant pests that are being used for research purposes.

Q3. What is the process to obtain a plant pest import permit?

To obtain these import permits, an Application for Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under the Plant Protection Act (CFIA/ACIA 5256) form must be completed and submitted to CFIA's Plant Health Import Permit Office. For further information please consult:

Q4. What is the process to obtain certification?

First contact form (Form A-PP) will be available and required to be completed along with the application to import. Form A-PP is used to gather contact information as well as program objectives. Once completed and returned to the CFIA, Biosafety Specialists will review the documentation to determine whether a self-certification checklist or a formal certification submission and inspection is required for the certification of your facility. The certification process varies with the PPC level deemed necessary for the plant pest in question.

Certification will be valid for a period of two years. If a facility is not granted certification, or certification is revoked for any reason, the deficiency or deficiencies must be corrected before the facility can be certified or re-certified.

Q5. How is the required Plant Pest Containment determined?

The containment requirements for a particular organism are frequently project-specific, and are determined by the CFIA after assessing pest risk factors as are listed in the standard.

Q6. I am building a new facility handling plant pests, and would like to know when I should contact the CFIA?

In order to avoid potential problems and confusion, please contact us early in the planning phase. Working collaboratively with the CFIA will help ensure compliance with the appropriate requirements, and should reduce any delays in the certification of your facility.

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