CFGA Press Release

Chinese Protocol / Certification Workshop held for Hay Exporters

     June 29, 2011, Brandon, MB.  Processors and exporters from Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia recently attended a work shop to receive an update on the Plant Health Export Certification Protocol for Alfalfa Hay to China; a protocol that was recently agreed to between China and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for exporting alfalfa hay to China. Representatives from nine different processing and exporting companies (22 in total) were also provided training on how to inspect the field/ hay for China's regulated pests in addition to  laboratory testing of samples representing export shipments.  The session was hosted by Green Prairie International in Lethbridge, Alberta and organized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association.

     Doug Winmill, Western Area Grains and Oilseeds Specialist of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was one of the trainers at the work shop. "China's plant health import requirements are much more extensive than other importing companies, they have a much broader range of pests; insects, diseases, weeds, etc. that will not be tolerated."

  All companies exporting hay requiring a phytosanitary certificate must apply to the CFIA to become a participant under the Canadian Hay Certification Program (CHCP). Each exporter then develops their own 'manual' which details how they will meet a country's plant heath import requirements, including training of staff in identification of pests in the alfalfa field or in  hay bales that are regulated by the importing country. All field and hay inspections must be documented throughout the process. Once CFIA approves the exporter's manual, evaluation audits and regular systems audits of their facility are completed to ensure they are implementing all program requirements.

    Peter Ball, Vice President of Marketing and Procurement of Green Prairie International, in Lethbridge, Alberta has also been shipping out of their Utah & Arizona processing plants. "When we ship out of there we need a certification number and that's essentially what we will be using in Canada for our Lethbridge plant."  "It's really a traceability program that starts with our inspection in the field, through to processing, shipping, and the phytosanitary test. We already have a manual in place and now we will modify it to be able to ship to China to meet their requirements.  This workshop provided us with the 29 requirements China has added to the CHCP before we can ship there."

     Ed Shaw, owner of International Quality Forage in Carstairs, Alberta also attended the workshop. Ed is one of the founding members of the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association  and plays an active role on the CFGA Forage Export and Domestic Market Development Committee.  "It was great to have participation from some companies across Canada, I think it really brought the industry together and illustrates the value of the CFGA."  

     For more information on the protocol go to:  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-03-14e.shtml

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Or contact:

Wayne Digby

Executive Director

Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
(204) 726-9393

Cell  (204) 726-3754

w_digby@canadianfga.ca

www.canadianfga.ca