Canadian shipping

Canadian fruit and vegetables will no longer be exempt from inspection when they enter the US, the country's Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) department has announced.

Beginning 1 February 2009, a standard inspection protocol will be put in place across the entire northern border, following a ruling by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

The removal is necessary to prevent the introduction of plant pests and diseases into the US through conventional pathways or through bioterrorism, according to the US Department of Homeland Security.

'To enforce the APHIS regulation, CBP has steadily increased the inspection rate of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables since 2007,' said Thomas Winkowski, CBP assistant commissioner at the Office of Field Operations. 'The inspection protocol is automated, and may cause a noticeable increase in the hold and inspection rate of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables.'

Click here for further information on Canada's agriculture inspection requirements.