From

Location

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Date Posted

Ontario, Canada.

Sad to say this but the situation is bleak for the time being. The USA has halted any trade by Canadian growers unless they have a valid Canadian Phytosanitary Certification Program for Seeds (CPCPS), a quality system program which allows approved Canadian seed facilities to use CFIA 5309.
I just got off the phone with Marcel Dawson of the CFIA. He has confirmed to me that any seeds exported can confisacted and destroyed if they are not properly certified.
There is no other option for import into the USA. Certification is very costly and open to audits. It puts seed trading out of reach of the ordinary pumpkin grower.

1/23/2004 4:08:12 PM

South Hill, Virginia

I guess we should all contact our congressmen about this. What exactly should we be asking them? Was there a recent law/regulation that they need to address?

1/23/2004 4:16:47 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Brent here it is read it and weep.
On January 22, 2002, the United States implemented new seed import requirements which specified that all propagative seed shipments entering the US must have a phytosanitary certificate.
Q. I want to export seeds to the United States. What do I have to do?
A. The requirements for the export of seed to the US are set out in Plant Protection Policy Directive D-02-10, which is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web site at www.inspection.gc.ca. You can also obtain Directive D-02-10 or more information from your local CFIA office.
Under this directive, Canadian seed exporters have four options to meet US import requirements for seeds. These include: 1) phytosanitary certificates, issued by the CFIA, based on inspection or laboratory testing of seed shipments; 2) the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) PPQ form 925 (or "Seed Analysis Certificate"); 3) CFIA form 5289; and 4) the seed export label, CFIA 5309.

1/23/2004 4:33:04 PM

Ontario, Canada.

2.2 US Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Seed

The US import requirements for seed are prescribed in the US Code of Federal Regulation 7CFR part 361.

1/23/2004 4:34:39 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Section 1.5 may provide an import means for some US Growers.
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-02-10e.shtml#2.2

1/23/2004 4:36:46 PM

Ontario, Canada.

1.5 Commodities Exempt

Seed for consumption, processing or research*

* seed is not intended for sale or propagation (except for seed grown in a laboratory for research purposes) and must be destroyed following research studies, and which is destined to a US research facility which has been granted an import permit from the USDA.

1/23/2004 4:38:19 PM

Indiana

"except for seed grown in a laboratory for research purposes" I have a large laboratory in my back yard and i grow pumpkins to research how big of one i can grow!
Steve

1/23/2004 5:02:23 PM

Indiana

Everyone
It seems like panic here! Out of how many bubbles that have gone across the border how many have been stopped? But them i wouldnt want ot lose a 845 either.

Steve

1/23/2004 5:05:21 PM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

I can see it now, people will be swallowing seeds
and crossing the border... yes, there has to be a
better way!

1/23/2004 5:08:49 PM

Ontario, Canada.

I didn't mean to raise the five alarm fire bells. But for anyone sending a valuable seed across the border into the US they are taking a risk of loosing that seed to this over cautious extremist law.

1/23/2004 5:10:07 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

It is *not* doomsday for AG growers. Be creative, there's a way around most anything.

1/23/2004 5:10:37 PM

Ontario, Canada.

USA law, has freedom, being trampled.

1/23/2004 5:14:01 PM

Oz

maybe start sending "bird seed"?

1/23/2004 5:19:08 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Is this new regulation only valid when sending seeds from Canada to the US or also from other countries (e.g. Germany) to the US?

1/23/2004 5:19:18 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Martin, All Countries

1/23/2004 5:20:55 PM

Oz

er,,that wouldnt work,,,,

1/23/2004 5:25:36 PM

Indiana

so keep the packages super thin, and dont use a customs form....come on people....this is a governmental agency. We could classify them as stupid at best.

Tom Beachy

1/23/2004 5:37:00 PM

ny

Ship in a box, express or priority with packing they will not know. If you have to send documents and tape seeds inside this way you can tell them documents inside! Works for others things trust me!!!!

1/23/2004 5:40:37 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I've got to agree with Joe and Tom. Be creative. I sent some to the US in greeting cards. Just tape them in and mail in regular mail. You can't send as many that way it works.

Glenn

1/23/2004 5:44:20 PM

Webster, NY

I'm sure it wouldn't be noticed, but does this law include going to Niagra, buying seeds at the sale table and bringing them back. Could someone, possably get in troube bringing contraband seeds across the border?

1/23/2004 5:48:51 PM

Ontario, Canada.

steelydave, yup, IMHO.

1/23/2004 5:55:02 PM

Usa

You can always send them across in something (hidden). Send a birthday card with a gift. Put the seed in the gift. Like tape it inside something so it doesn't rattle. Then you can just declare the package a birthday gift. More expensive but might be worth a try.

1/23/2004 6:01:10 PM

Calif

this thing was implemented in 02 and yet less than 1% have experienced problems. recieved seeds today from Canada. So i think that bringing attention to it is not in our best interest. Most stations have just let it go.....not looked back .....bussiness as usual. .. Hot seeds i would insure-- and do what Beachy suggested if problems return to sender........ i don't think its a big problem and if it was then the bigger organizations could do what is necessary legally ---and we all operate from them...........MB

1/23/2004 6:54:28 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Mrock, Canada had asked for a delay in the actual enforcement of the law. The USA delayed any action until Jan 1 2004. That is why some are now just starting to loose seed at the border.

1/23/2004 6:58:07 PM

Calif

Its a good heads up no doubt !!-------and thats why i think that if your getting something worth value to insure and note" return to sender " might save seed. There is no harm in that if doesn't cross the border. Still i wouldn't draw attention to it cause we know that the pumpkin seeds are harmless and they in time will know the same. if it were hard core many seeds wouldn't have made through now......only time will tell and we will find a way to make it work out.

1/23/2004 7:27:01 PM

northern indiana

Will smuggle for top seed!

1/23/2004 7:38:42 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Ah yes, can't wait to be sitting in the rocking chair with my grandchildren telling them how in the olden days I was a seed runner.

1/23/2004 11:34:38 PM

Taber, Alberta

I sent some seeds to Germany in November and they got routed somehow through the US. Customs there confiscated them, put a cheery note in the envelope, and sent it on its way. I sent another pack again a month later and they got through. They were not even destined for the US and they took them. They were not prize seed stock so I didn't care too much, but why would they open an envelope that is not even destined for the US?
Alan

1/24/2004 12:01:18 AM

Deer Park WA

Maybe there is a possibility of Phyto contamination in the Canadian seed imports Tommy; then how "stupid" would the Gov. be?

1/24/2004 12:31:31 AM

Sask, Canada

Alan:

Same way the US Deported a Canadian citizen To Syria.

He was on his way home to Canada from South American Vacation. Stopped over in the US. was arrested and sent not to the country of his passport but his birth country.

Sorry guys, but I'm starting to get really sick of the states, no it's not growers but the bloody politician's.

Pretty soon country's are going to start banding together and putting the states in their place. Dictating this and that etc. etc.

Got the upmost respect for our growing friends south of the border but some body has got to open up a can of whoop ass on your elected officials.

Again as always....
Proud to be Canehdian!!!
TTYL
Ernie
Giant Veggies

1/24/2004 1:09:44 AM

Hayes, Virginia

musicpete, just sent seed's from germany 3 days ago.i guess i got lucky..that's a bummer have a bubble out there in the great white north oh well.i wanted to buy some of giantveggies tomato seeds...i hear you ernie..

1/24/2004 1:19:23 AM

Indiana

Much higher risk of seeds going to Canada from the US containing a disease than coming into the US. Winter temperatures kill off more diseases in Canada than the US Gerry. If the disease hasnt come by now, on a pumpkin seed, it isnt going to. If you can dig up one disease that can come from a Canadian pumpkin seed, that isnt already in the US, I will be the first to admit I am wrong. Otherwise shut up and stop mocking me.

Tom Beachy

1/24/2004 1:27:59 AM

Applegate, Oregon

So now the WCGPA might need to be a little tricky in getting seeds to those winning in the raffle.

1/24/2004 1:56:19 AM

Ga.

Ernie,you worry bout Canada,,and us Americans will worry bout USA politicians and USA!

1/24/2004 6:07:01 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Hee, hee..this is gettin' good! Ole Tom's gettin' bowed up, Ernie can't spell his own country's name, Matt's changing careers and Russ (forgive me my friend, just having fun) is screaming "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!"
Spring not too far off guys, hang in there...

1/24/2004 7:53:08 AM

Johnston, R.I.

you guys should all calm down. what good is pointing fingers at each other going to do? that ain't going to solve anything. this is no more than some political bull that will be swept under the rug in a matter of time. life will be back to normal sooner than you think. now you all have a good day.

1/24/2004 9:10:58 AM

Wroclaw, Poland (51 N, 17 E)

What obout sending seeds from Europe to USA??

1/24/2004 10:18:24 AM

[email protected]

Please see new thread regarding this matter.

1/24/2004 12:53:41 PM

canal winchester ohio

Other countries banding together against the United States...please...LOL..that's too funny

1/24/2004 4:37:56 PM

ernie is on my ---- list

1/24/2004 5:35:45 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Can't blame US customs officials...they are just trying to protect the interests of American citizens. After all, nobody wants a case of "Mad Pumpkin Disease" imported within our borders!

1/25/2004 4:42:09 PM