JOY ORLEK THE CANADIAN Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has warned of possilbe enforcement of an existing ruling allowing for examination of all imported products of a plant or animal origin at the port of entry if this is deemed necessary. “Basically this would mean that consolidated or FCL containers with such commodities bound for say the ports of Toronto or Montreal but entering Canada via the ports of say Vancouver or Halifax “could” require inspection at those points of entry prior to their being able to continue in bond to the inland destination,” CargoCare MD Roland Raath told FTW. “The key is to understand the types of commodities that would be of concern,” said Raath, “and these are basically those of a plant or animal origin which are restricted or unrestricted. Those in the restricted category could require an import permit, phytosanitary certificate or a veterinary certificate.” Further information can be sourced at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/airse.shtml CFIA has confirmed that there is little risk of inspection if documentation is in order and available well in advance of arrival at the first point of entry into Canada. The principal concern is with products that fall into their high risk profile.
