Certification Protocol for All Seed Potatoes Traded between United States and Canada

DA-2007-09
March 19, 2007
On March 16, 2007, APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have developed a joint potato certification protocol for all seed potatoes traded between the United States and Canada.

The initial phase of this protocol will begin on March 21, 2007, as the first step in implementing potato nematode surveillance for the United States and Canada. This protocol responds to the 2006 detection of golden nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, in the province of Quebec and potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, in the State of Idaho. The goal of this protocol is to maintain the safe movement of regulated articles between the United States and Canada while continuing to protect against the spread of these nematodes.

Since most seed potato fields are currently frozen, the first phase of the protocol will include a piler dirt survey. This will involve sampling and testing of soil associated to tubers in storage facilities for all remaining 2006 seed potatoes shipped between the United States and Canada. All shipments between the United States and Canada must include a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration confirming that the lot was tested and found free of both pests according to the agreed protocol. Results from field surveys conducted by APHIS and State cooperators in 2006 are also acceptable.

The next phase of the bi-national potato surveillance will begin during the 2007 production year and will include more extensive field surveys for seed potatoes. Bi-national potato cyst nematode survey detail discussions will continue between USDA and CFIA officials and stakeholders over the coming months. The survey protocol is included in the survey plan currently available on the APHIS website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/potato/pcn.shtml

For further information, please contact Osama El-Lissy, Director, PPQ, Emergency Management at (301) 734-8247 or Will Wise, Potato Programs National Trade Director at (503) 326-2814.


/s/ John H. Payne for


Richard L. Dunkle
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine