RMD-13-04: Consolidated Pest Risk Management Document for pest plants regulated by Canada
Appendix 12C: Assessment of Measures for Senecio inaequidens (South African ragwort)
This page is part of the Guidance Document Repository (GDR).
The total value of cereal grain commodities (wheat and meslin, rye, barley, oats, maize, buckwheat, millet, and other unmilled cereals) imported in 2008 was approximately $568 million or 11.6 million metric tonnes. Of this amount, 0.5% (approximately $2.9 million or 255 thousand tonnes; Table 2 ) of imports originated from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present (Statistics Canada 2009).
The level of risk associated with the import of grain into Canada is unknown due to the lack of information available regarding grain as an introduction pathway. However, the amount of grain imports from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present is small in comparison to total grain imports (0.5%) and most imported grain is destined for consumption. Based on this information, grain as a pathway of introduction for Senecio inaequidens is low risk.
Import data for cereal grains originating from countries where Senecio inaequidens (South African ragwort) is present
Note: Countries with an export value of less than $1,000 per year are grouped together and a summed value for all countries is shown.
Potential risk mitigation measures
Regulate Senecio inaequidens as a quarantine pest under the Plant Protection Act and add this species to the List of Pests Regulated by Canada (CFIA 2009) in order to:
prevent the importation, movement, and cultivation of this species in Canada.
enable inspectors to take appropriate action for the purposes of eradicating the pest or preventing its spread Footnote 1.
Regulatory actions under the Plant Protection Act could include one or more of the following:
exporters could be required to provide a Phytosanitary Certificate with or without an Additional Declaration stating freedom from Senecio inaequidens.
requirement for a Permit to Import issued by the CFIA indicating specific import requirements and conditions for the pest status, handling and use of the commodity. It is the importer's responsibility to apply for and procure the permit.
provisions for importation of grain contaminated with Senecio inaequidens for research, processing, industrial or educational uses under a section 43 permit on a case-by-case basis.
recognition of Pest Free Areas – if Senecio inaequidens can be shown to be absent from the country/state/region from which the field crop product was propagated, then the risk is negligible and additional phytosanitary requirements may be waived.
Note: End uses impact risk and may therefore impact required risk mitigation measures. Regulatory measures may be waived for those commodities that have been treated or processed such that the risk of introduction of Senecio inaequidens has been reduced to an acceptable level.
All risk mitigation measures for field crop commodities containing Senecio inaequidens must be taken with consideration for requirements/measures for pests other than plants (e.g.. pathogens and insects).
Trade implications
since a small proportion of grain imports are originating from areas where S. inaequidens is present, there will be minimal reduction and or loss of import markets if exporting countries are unable to meet proposed phytosanitary requirements.
exporting countries may have to devote resources toward the inspection of grain commodities and the issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates.
not controlling import and spread of Senecio inaequidens may result in infestations of field crops for export; if the importing country prohibits this species, market access for Canadian commodities could be compromised. There is also the potential for additional costs to Canadian producers for weed control in the field and cleaning of grain.
regulation under the Plant Protection Act will safeguard cereal grain trade with the U.S., where Senecio inaequidens is regulated as a federal noxious weed. Canada exported approximately $1.2 billion worth of cereal grain to the U.S. in 2008 (Industry Canada 2009).
Cost-effectiveness and Feasibility
resources will be needed by CFIA for marketplace monitoring and sampling, inspector training, compliance, enforcement and communication material development.
grain contaminated with Senecio inaequidens could be cleaned to remove the contaminant seeds. Senecio inaequidens seeds are identifiable, but may not be readily screened from grain that is similar in size to its seeds (2.5mm long and 0.8mm wide; CFIA Seed Laboratory). This should be done by the exporting country. Field inspections or laboratory testing could be used to ensure freedom from species of quarantine concern.
Hay and Straw
Previous imports
the total value of hay and straw imports was approximately $13 million in 2008; 98% of this value came from the U.S. Approximately $3,400 in total hay and straw imports came from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present (Table 3; Industry Canada 2009).
between 1999 and 2004, quantities of hay and straw imported from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present ranged from $20,000 per year to $180,000 per year (Industry Canada 2009).
between 1999 and 2004, high quantities of hay and straw (an approximate average value of $15.3 million per year) were imported from Washington and Oregon, where Senecio inaequidens is not present. This represents the majority of hay and straw imported into Canada. Since 2004, imports of hay and straw have remained relatively constant (Industry Canada 2009).
the level of risk associated with imports of hay and straw into Canada is relatively low since they originate primarily from areas where Senecio inaequidens is absent.
Import data for hay and straw originating from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present
Value in Canadian Dollars ($)
Product 1: HS 121300 - Cereal straw and husks, unprepared
Regulate Senecio inaequidens under the Plant Protection Act as a quarantine pest by placing it on the List of Pests Regulated by Canada in order to:
prevent the importation, movement, and cultivation of this species in Canada.
enable inspectors to take appropriate action for the purposes of eradicating the pest or preventing its spread Footnote 2.
Regulatory actions under the Plant Protection Act could include one or more of the following:
requirement for exporters to provide a Phytosanitary Certificate with or without an Additional Declaration stating freedom from Senecio inaequidens Requirement for a Permit to Import indicating specific import requirements and conditions for the pest status, handling and use of the commodity could be required. It is the importer's responsibility to apply for and obtain the permit.
recognition of Pest Free Areas – if Senecio inaequidens can be shown to be absent from the country/state/region where the hay or straw was produced, then risk is negligible and additional phytosanitary requirements may be waived.
requirement for heat treatment or pelletization for hay or straw intended for use as a biofuel stock.
Trade implications
regulation of Senecio inaequidens under the Plant Protection Act will potentially safeguard trade of hay and straw with the U.S., where Senecio inaequidens is regulated as a federal noxious weed. In 2008, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland exported approximately $15 million worth of hay and straw to the U.S. (Industry Canada 2009).
exporting countries will need to devote resources towards inspection of hay and straw commodities and issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates. Inspectors in exporting countries need to be able to identify achenes of Senecio inaequidens that could attach themselves to hay and straw, or conduct pre-harvest field inspections. Exporters need to ensure freedom of Senecio inaequidens in hay and straw, otherwise CFIA can refuse import.
since 98% of hay and straw imports come from the U.S., and a low value of imports come from areas where Senecio inaequidens is invasive, there will not be significant market losses of this commodity if it is found to be contaminated.
Cost-effectiveness and Feasibility
minor costs will be incurred for identification training for inspectors.
resources will be needed by the CFIA for marketplace monitoring, compliance and enforcement.
Livestock
Previous imports
since 2004, 1,116 sheep, goats, bovine animals and horses for reproduction were imported from countries where Senecio inaequidensis present (CFIA, internal data). This represents 0.7% of all livestock imports (for reproduction) that have been imported into Canada since 2004.
the level of risk associated with the importation of livestock is low because of the small number of animals (for reproduction purposes) coming into Canada from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present.
Potential risk mitigation measures
No mitigation measures are required due to the low number of animals entering Canada that could act as an introduction pathway for Senecio inaequidens.
Previous imports
the total value of sheep and goat raw wool imports was approximately $3 million in 2008; 7% of this value ($220,000) came from countries where Senecio inaequidens is present (Industry Canada 2009).
between 1999 and 2004, a total of $2.4 million worth of raw wool was imported from countries where Senecio inaequidensis present (Industry Canada 2009).
Potential risk mitigation measures
No measure is required:
vegetative matter is removed from commercial wool by carbonization Footnote 3.
raw wool and raw hides imported into Canada from all countries require CFIA inspection. They must be free from feces, blood, ectoparasites and dirt (plant and plant parts are considered to be dirt) or they will be refused entry (Health of Animals Act, Directive AHPD-DSAE-2001-1-1 (CFIA 1990)).
Vehicles and Used Farm Machinery
Previous imports
information is not available on the volume of imports of used farm machinery
the likelihood of Senecio inaequidens being introdued into Canada from seeds adhering to tires is low (Castro 2009)
Potential Risk mitigation measures
Enforcement of the Directive 95-26: "Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants" (CFIA 2008).
in 2003, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assumed responsibility for the initial import inspection services in respect to the Acts and Regulations administered by the CFIA to the extent that they are applicable at Canadian border points. The inspection of goods that may be contaminated with soil are among the responsibilities that were transferred to the CBSA in 2003. The Food, Plant and Animals Programs Section of the CBSA has developed its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) concerning the "Inspection of Imported Goods Potentially Contaminated with Soil." This SOP provides the CBSA's Border Services Officers with formal procedures for the inspection and disposition of goods that may be contaminated with soil, including used agricultural machinery and vehicles.
Nursery Stock with Soil
Plants imported from off-continent sources must be free of soil as specified in directive D-02-02: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Rooted, or Unrooted Plants, Plant Parts, and Tissue Cultured Plants for Propagation (CFIA 2006). Soil can be imported with plants from the continental U.S., but since Senecio inaequidens is not present in that country, it is not likely to be introduced to Canada through nursery stock with soil; therefore, no mitigation measures are required.
Travelers and Their Effects
Previous imports
a considerable number of people cross the Canadian border every year. Around 3 million people traveled to Canada and around 5.4 million Canadians traveled abroad in the 4th quarter of 2008 alone. The majority of this travel was to and from the U.S. (Statistics Canada 2009). Europe was the second most popular destination visited by Canadians in 2007 (Statistics Canada 2008)
travelers are not likely to bring Senecio inaequidens back into Canada unintentionally. The risk is associated with the achenes attaching to the clothes, equipment and other effects of returning Canadians. The level of risk associated with this pathway is considered low (Castro 2009)
Risk mitigation measures
Increase public awareness of the regulation and the risk posed by Senecio inaequidens and distribute awareness material at border crossings to the public. It is difficult to target travelers for one particular species that could be unintentionally imported. Thus, a general information and awareness campaign about the risks associated with several species may be the best option. While not considered effective by itself if the risk is high, increased public awareness is a viable action if the level of risk is low.
Trade implications
None anticipated.
Cost-effectiveness and Feasibility
resources will have to be allocated for promotional materials to be distributed at border crossings.
public awareness campaigns could be an effective way to lower the risk of introduction of Senecio inaequidens into the country. This campaign could also be done in conjunction with other weed species to reduce costs and to inform the public on a more general level about invasive alien plants.
Packaging Material
Previous Imports
a considerable volume of imported products are shipped in wood packaging material, including dunnage, pallets, spacers, bearers and crating.
container surfaces are listed as a potential pathway of introduction for Senecio inaequidens. The achenes are more likely to attach to rough surfaces (e.g. wood) rather than smooth ones, due to the nature of the pappus (K. Castro, personal communication). This pathway is considered low risk (Castro 2009).
Risk Mitigation Measures
wood packaging material is regulated under directive D-98-08: Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Materials Produced in All Areas Other Than the Continental United States (CFIA 2008). All non-manufactured wood packaging material is permitted for entry into Canada only if it has been officially treated by an approved method (i.e. heat treatment or fumigation using methyl bromide) and if it is affixed with an official seal from the NPPO of the originating country.
heat treatment or fumigation may make plant material inviable, although species-specific studies need to be conducted in order to determine if the seeds of Senecio inaequidens survive the treatments or not. Fumigation may not be the most effective option, as its efficacy decreases in dry environments (Bond 1984).
if the above treatments do not effectively make Senecio inaequidens seeds inviable, modifications to directive D-98-08 should be made to include further treatment options that will eliminate viable plant material (e.g. increase the temperature of heat treatment). For Senecio vulgaris, previous studies have shown that a heat treatment of 75& deg;C for 0.5+ days resulted in 0% germination of seeds (Thompson et al. 1997). Additional research into the temperature tolerance of Senecio inaequidens seed is required; the temperature required to kill seeds is species-specific.
Trade Implications
No additional trade implications since countries that do not comply with the requirements set out in D-98-08 may have goods refused at the Canadian border.
Cost-effectiveness and Feasibility
directive D-98-08 is in place to prevent the entry of other quarantine pests such as emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).
revising the directive and notifying inspection staff of the change will require minimal resources on the CFIA's behalf.