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D-10-01: General phytosanitary requirements for fresh 
pepper and tomato fruit imported from the world 
 
 
(3rd Revision)  
 
Subject  
 
This directive outlines the phytosanitary requirements for fresh pepper  and tomato  fruit 
imported into Canada.  
  
The following changes have been made as part of this revision:  
 Republic of Korea is now approved to export fresh tomato  fruit to Canada under a 
systems approach .    
 Additional declarations for regulated articles originating from an inf ested country 
have been updated.  
 The list of countries approv ed to export  fresh pepper and tomato fruit to Canada 
has been updated to reflect   recent trade history.  
 Various editorial changes to improve the clarity of the text.  
 
This document supersedes all previous versions of directive D -10-01. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 Table of Contents  
1.0  Legislative authority  
2.0  Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms  
3.0  Introduction  
4.0  Scope  
4.1  Regulated pests  
4.2 Regulated articles  
4.3 Articles exempt  
4.4 Regulated areas  
5.0 Import requirements  
5.1 General  import requirements  
5.2  Fresh pepper and tomato fruit from new origins  
5.3 Countries where Thaumatotibia leucotreta or Tuta absoluta  are absent  
5.4 Countries where Thaumatotibia leucotreta or Tuta absoluta  are present  
5.4.1  CFIA -recognized pest -free area  
5.4.2  CFIA -accepted systems approach  
5.4.3  CFIA -approved treatm ent 
6.0 Non-Compliance  
7.0 References  
7.1 Fees  
7.2 Supporting documents  
Appendix 1: Summary of phytosanitary requirements for fresh tomato and pepper fruit 
imported from the world  
Phytosanitary requirements for imported Capsicum  spp. (peppers) fresh fruit.  
Phytosanitary requirements for  imported Solanum lycopersicum  (tomatoes) fresh fruit.  
Appendix 2: Minimum requirements for a systems approach for the export to Canada of 
tomato fruit from countries where Tuta absoluta is present  
 
 
 
1.0  Legislative a uthority  
 
Plant Protection Act , S.C. 1990, c.22  
Plant Protection Regulations , SOR/95 -212 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice , Canada Gazette, Part I (as  
amended from time to time)  
 
 
2.0  Definitions, abbreviations and a cronyms  
 
Definitions of terms used in this document can be found in the International Standard for 
Phytosanitary Measures 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms  or the Canadian Food 
Inspection Agency's (CFIA's) Plant Health Glossary of Terms . 
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 3.0  Introduction  
 
Import ed fresh  tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) and pepper ( Capsicum  spp.) fruit is 
regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to prevent the introduction 
and spread of plant pests that can cause significant economic and environmental damage 
to the Canadian pl ant resource base including agriculture, forestry and the environment.  
 
Two insect pests, Thaumatotibia leucotreta  in association with fresh pepper fruit, and 
Tuta absoluta  in association with fresh tomato fruit, are of particular concern. Specific 
phytos anitary requirements targeting those pests, as well as general phytosanitary 
requirements for fresh pepper  and tomato fruit  imported from the world are presented 
herein.  
 
 
4.0  Scope   
         
4.1  Regulated p ests  
 
Scientific name  Common name  
Thaumatotibia leucotreta  False codling moth  
 
Tuta absoluta  Tomato leaf miner, South American tomato 
moth  
 
The List of  Pests Regulated by Canada does not include all organisms that represent a 
plant health risk to Canada. When a new pest is found on  or in association with  plants or 
plant products, it will be categorized and , when appropriate,  added to the list.  See the List 
of pests regulated by Canada  for more information.  
 
If an importer becomes aware of the presence  of a thing that the y suspect to be a pest , the 
person shall immediately notify the CFIA , as described in Section 5 of the Plant 
Protection Act . 
 
4.2 Regulated articles  
 
 Capsicum spp., fresh pepper fruit  
 Solanum lycopersicum , (syn. Lycopersicon esculentum ), fresh tomato fruit  
 
4.3 Articles e xempt  
 
Pepper and tomato fruit that have  been processed in a manner that mitigates pest risk (for 
example frozen, canned, dried, cooked, pureed, fermented, etc.).  
 
 
4.4 Regulated a reas    D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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All countries except the United States and Mexico.  
 
 
5.0 Import  requirements  
 
5.1 General import r equirements  
 
Country -specific import requirements may be obtained by consulting CFIA’s Automated 
Import Reference System (AIRS) . 
 
See Appendix 1  for a list of countries  approved to export fresh pepper  and/or tomato  fruit 
to Canada.  
 
Consignments must be free of soil, regulated pests, leaves, branches, and plant debris.   
 
Containers must be new or cleaned in a manner that addresses risks from regulated plant 
pests and removes organic matter, soil and/or soil -related matter.  
  
Fresh pepper and tomato fruit from a foreign countr y entering Canada via a third country 
must meet the same phytosanitary requirements as consign ments being imported directly 
into Canada  from the country of origin . Consignments of plant products entering Canada 
are subject to inspection by the CFIA.  
 
Note:  Importing tomato and pepper fruit for re -packing may constitute a high risk 
activity that could negatively impact Canadian -grown products. Packing facilities 
adjacent to a place of prod uction or located in a tomato or pepper production area should 
implement best management practices to prevent potential cross -infestation of Canadian 
crops by pests associated with foreign product.  
 
5.2  Fresh pepper and tomato  fruit from new origins  
  
Canada requires a pest r isk analysis  prior to approving the importation of fresh pepper  
and tomato  fruit from  a new country of origin.  
 
For more information  on the pr ocess used by the CFIA to evaluate  the pest risk 
associated with a commodity,  please see Pest Risk Analysis: How we evaluate fruits, 
vegetables and plants from new countries of origin . 
 
5.3 Countries where  Thaumatotibia leucotreta or Tuta absoluta  are absent  
   
Countries approved to export to Canada  (Appendix 1 ), and where T. leucotreta  or T. 
absol uta is absent , mus t notify the CFIA should the pest status of the country change . 
 
A phytosanitary certificate is required . An additional declaration is not required.  
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 5.4 Countries where Thaumatotibia leucotreta or Tuta absoluta  are present  
 
Countries approved to export to Canada, and  where T. leucotreta  or T. absolut a are 
present, must meet one of the following import requirements :  
 
 CFIA -recognized pest-free area ( Section 5.4.1 ) 
 CFIA -accepted systems approach (Section 5.4.2 ) 
 CFIA -approved treatment  (Section 5.4.3 ) 
 
A phytosanitary certificate with corresponding additional declaration is required.  
 
Appendix 1 provides a list of countries  approved to export fresh  pepper and tomato  fruit 
to Canada , the p hytosanitary  certification options they are approved to use  and the 
corresponding  additional declarations that must be included on the phytosanitary 
certificate.  
 
5.4.1 CFIA -recognized pest-free a rea 
 
Fresh t omato and pepper  fruit originating from countries where T. leucotreta  or T. 
absoluta  are present may be certified for export to Canada if produced in a CFIA -
recognized  pest-free area .  
 
The pest -free area  must be established and administrated under the authority of  the 
National Plan t Protection Organisation  of the country of origin , in accordance with the 
criteria for establishing freedom from pests found in International Standard f or 
Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 4: Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . 
Addit ionally, consignments from a pest -free area  transiting to a packinghouse or a port 
through an area not known to be free of regulated  pests must be covered with an insect -
proof mesh, screen or plastic tarpaulin  or otherwise safeguarded from infestation by T. 
leucotreta or T. absoluta .  
 
The CFIA will review the protocols to establish and maintain pest  freedom submitted by 
the exporting  country ’s NPPO  as per International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 
(ISPM ) 29: Recognition of pest free areas and areas of low pest prevalence . The NPPO 
must demonstrate to the CFIA that the conditions of ISPM 4 are met.  
 
5.4.2 CFIA -accepted systems a pproach  
 
Fresh pepper and tomato  fruit originating from countries where T. leucotreta  or T. 
absoluta  are present  may be  certified for export  to Canada if produced in accordance with 
a CFIA -accepted  systems approach  that confor ms to international guidelines as per 
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 14: The use of integrated 
measures in a systems approach for pest risk management .  
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 As the National Plant Protection Organization  of the importing country, the CFIA is 
responsible for setting and communicating technically justified phytosanitary import 
requirements to be addressed by the systems approach.  
 
Appendix  2 provides the minimum requirements of a systems approach for the export of 
fresh tomato fruit from countries where T. absoluta is present. Tomato fruit produced and 
prepared for export to Canada under a systems approach must be imported without 
vines, st ems, or calyces .  
 
If the National Plant Protection Organization  of the exporting country wishes to employ a 
systems approach, they must submit a proposal to the CFIA. The National Plant 
Protection Organization  must demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed  provision (s) and 
must approve and oversee the places of production  or production sites  that use the 
integrated measures.  
 
The use of a systems approach offers a preventative risk management alternative to 
mandatory phytosanitary treatment and is useful i n situations where traditional 
phytosanitary inspection and certification may be considered ineffective or inefficient.  
 
5.4.3 CFIA -approved t reatment  
 
Fresh pepper and tomato fruit may be treated for regulated pests using CFIA -approved  
products and method s. Refer to Treatment schedules for horticulture commodities  for 
article and pest -specific treatments . Upon request, p roposals for alternative treatment s 
will be evaluated for effectiveness by the CFIA.  
 
Note:  As a signatory to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone 
Layer , Canada is phasing out the use of methyl bromide for quarantine purposes. 
Exporting countries are encouraged to submit data supporting the efficacy of alternatives 
to me thyl bromide fumigation to the CFIA for review.  
 
 
6.0 Non-Compliance  
 
Imported articles may be inspected by the CFIA and must meet requirements when they 
reach their first point of arrival in Canada. Articles that are found to be infested with 
pests of quarantine concern or are otherwise non -compliant will be refused entry to 
Canada, and will be ordered removed from the country or destroyed. Infested articl es 
may be ordered treated prior to disposal or removal to prevent the spread of pests. The 
importer is responsible for costs relating to treatment, disposal or removal of the articles, 
including costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken. The C FIA will advise 
the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin or re -export 
of non -compliance as per directive D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the 
notification of non -compliance and emergency action . 
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 The discovery of quarantine pests or other non -compliance during inspection in Canada 
may result in suspension of the importation  of the commodity from that country and may 
require consultation with the CFIA and remedial action at origin before shipping can 
resume.  
 
 
7.0 References  
 
7.1 Fees  
 
The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees 
Notice . For information regarding fees, please contact your local CFIA office  or visit the 
CFIA's Fees Notice  website . 
 
7.2 Supporting documents  
 
Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)  
 
D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non -compliance and 
emergency action . 
   
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 4: Requirements for the 
establishment of pest free areas . International P lant Protection Convention, 1995 . 
   
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 14: The use of integrated 
measures in a systems approach for pest risk management . International Plant Protection 
Convention, 2002.  
 
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 29: Recognition of pest free 
areas and areas of low pest prevalence . International Plant Protection Convention, 2007.  
  
Pest Risk Analysis: How we evaluate fruits, vegetables and plants from new countries of 
origin.  
 
Treatment schedules for horticulture commodities  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 Appendix 1: Summary of phytosanitary requirements for fresh 
tomato and pepper fruit imported from the world  
 
Note:  The importation of fresh tomato or pepper fruit from any origin other than the 
United States and Mexico that is not included on the corresponding list requires prior 
approval  from the CFIA. See Section 5.2 of directive D -10-01 for more det ails.  
 
 
Phytosanitary requirements for imported Capsicum  spp. (peppers) fresh fruit.  
 
 A phytosanitary certificate is required.  
 If Thaumatotibia leucotreta  is present in the country of origin,  the following table 
indicates which phytosanitary requirement(s) the exporting country is eligible to 
use for export certification . See Section 5.4 of directive D -10-01 for additional 
details on obtaining CFIA’s authorization to use either the pest -free area or 
systems approach option.  
 Additional declara tions corresponding to the phytosanitary requirements are 
presented below the table.  
Country of 
origin  Status of 
Thaumatotibia 
leucotreta  
(present/absent)  Applicable phytosanitary requirements to prevent the 
introduction and establishment of Thaumatotibia leucotreta  
Pest free -area 
recognized by 
CFIA -(yes/no)  Systems approach 
accepted by CFIA -
(yes/no)  CFIA - approved 
treatment  
Belgium  Absent     
Chile  Absent     
China  Absent     
Colombia  Absent     
Costa Rica  Absent     
Cuba  Absent     
Dominican 
Republic  Absent     
Egypt  Absent     
El Salvador  Absent     
Fiji Absent     
Germany  Absent     
Guatemala  Absent     
Guyana  Absent     
Honduras  Absent     
India  Absent     
Israel  Present  Yes Yes Schedule 2  
Jamaica  Absent     
Japan  Absent     
Montserrat  Absent     
Morocco  Absent       D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 Netherlands  Absent     
New Zealand  Absent     
Nicaragua  Absent     
Panama  Absent     
Peru Absent     
Portugal  Absent     
South Africa  Present  No No Schedule 2  
Republic of 
Korea  Absent     
Spain  Absent     
Thailand  Absent     
Trinidad and 
Tobago  Absent     
Tunisia  Absent     
Vietnam  Absent     
 
Additional declarations :  
Pest-free area:  
"The consignment was pro duced in a CFIA -recognized pest -free area for 
Thaumatotibia leucotreta ." 
System s approach:  
"The consignment was produced and prepared for export under a CFIA -accepted 
systems approach and was inspected and found free from Thaumatotibia 
leucotreta ." 
Treatment:  
No additional declaration is required. The details of the treatment must appear in 
the treatment section of the phytosanitary certificate.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 Phytosanitary requirements for imported Solanum lycopersicum  (tomatoes) fresh 
fruit.  
 
 A phytosanitary certificate is required.  
 If Tuta absoluta is present in the country of origin,  the following table indicates 
which phytosanitary requirement(s) the exporting country is eligible to use for 
export certification . See Section 5.4 of directive D -10-01 for additional details on 
obtaining CFIA’s authorization to use either the pest free area or systems 
approach option.  
 Additional declarations corresponding to the phytosanitary requirements are 
presented below the table.  
Country of 
origin  Status of  
Tuta absoluta  
(present/absent  Applicable phytosanitary requirements to prevent the 
introduction and establ ishment of Tuta absoluta  
Pest free -area 
recognized by 
CFIA - (yes/no)  Systems approach 
accepted by CFIA - 
(yes/no)  CFIA -Approved 
Treatment  
Belgium  Present  No No Sched ule 8  
Chile  Present  No No Schedule 8  
Colombia  Present  No No Sched ule 8  
Costa Rica  Present  No No Schedule 8  
Dominican 
Republic  Absent     
Guatemala  Absent     
Honduras  Absent     
Israel  Present  No Yes Sched ule 8  
Italy Present  No No Sched ule 8  
Morocco  Present  No No Schedule 8  
Netherlands   Present   No No Schedule 8  
New Zealand  Absent     
Peru Present  No No Sched ule 8  
Republic of 
Korea*  Absent     
Spain  Present  No Yes Sched ule 8  
Tunisia  Present  No No Sched ule 8  
United 
Kingdom  Present  No No Schedule 8  
 
*Subject to trial importation period . A permit to import is required.  
 
Additional declarations :  
Pest free area:  
"The consignment was pro duced in a CFIA -recognized pest -free area for Tuta 
absoluta ." 
System approach:    D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 "The consignment was produced and prepared for export under a CFIA -accepted 
systems approach and was inspected and found free from Tuta absoluta ." 
Treatment:  
 No additional declaration is required. The details of the treatment must appear in 
 the treatment section of the phytosanitary certificate.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 Appendix 2 : Minimum r equirements for a systems a pproach 
for the export to Canada  of tomato f ruit from countries w here 
Tuta absoluta is present  
 
Fresh tomato fruit from  approved  countries  where Tuta absoluta  is present , may be 
imported into Canada provided  that the foreign country’s National Plant Protection 
Organization and the CFIA have agreed to a systems approach program  intended  to 
mitigate the risk of introducing this pest to Canada.  
 
Foreign National Plant Protection Organizations  are required to register production sites 
and packing facilities and verify that the requirements outlined in this Appendix are met. 
Only those facilities meeting these requirements may be registered and only those 
consignments meeting these requirements may be certified for export to Canada under a 
systems approach . International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 14: The use 
of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management , should serve as 
guidance in implementing the systems approach for the export of tomato fruit.  
  
Requirements  
 
The systems approach must  include all of the following:  
 
• Tomato fruit must be imported as commercial consignments only.  
 
• Tomato fruit must be imported without  vines, stems, or calyces . 
 
• Tomato fruit must be grown in pest exclusionary structures (PES), for example, 
greenhouses or screen houses , that are registered with the National Plant Protection 
Organiz ation (NPPO) of the country of origin.  
 
• The PES must be equipped with double self -closing doors, and all vents or openings 
in the PES (other than the double closing doors) must be covered with 1.6 mm or 
smaller screening to prevent the entry of quarantine pests into the PES.  
 
• The PES must be equipped with pheromone baited traps for T. absoluta  at a minimum 
rate of two traps per hectare and with no fewer than two traps per PES. 
 
• All traps must be placed at least two months prior to harvest, maintained throughout 
the growing season, and monitored and serviced weekly.  
 
• The registered PES must be inspected by the NPPO or its designee throughout the 
growing season for evidence of T. absoluta . The NPPO must maintain trapping 
records of T. absoluta  throughout  the growing season for CFIA review.  
 
• If, within 30 days of harvest , two T. absoluta  individuals are captured inside the PES 
or a single T. absoluta  individual is found inside the fruit or in a consignment, then   D-10-01 (3rd revision)  
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 shipments from the PES will be suspended unt il CFIA and the NPPO determine that 
risk mitigation is achieved.  
 
• The NPPO must maintain a CFIA -approved quality control program to monitor or 
audit the program. A list of appro ved PES  should be provided to CFIA, and the 
NPPO must notify CFIA when a PES i s removed or added to the program. CFIA may 
conduct periodic site visits to monitor the program.  
 
• After harvest, tomato fruit must be safeguarded by an insect -proof mesh , size 1.6 mm 
or smaller screen , or plastic tarpaulin while in transit from the PES to the 
packinghouse and while awaiting packing.  
 
• Tomato fruit must be packed withi n 24 hours of harvest in a pest -exclusionary 
packinghouse.  
 
• When the packinghouse processes tomato fruit for export to Canada, it must accept 
only tomato fruit from a registered  PES. 
 
• For transit to Canada, tomato fruit must be packed in insect -proof cartons or 
containers or covered with insect -proof 1.6 mm mesh or plastic tarpaulin. These 
safeguards must remain intact until arrival in Canada. Otherwise, the consignment 
may be re fused entry.  
 
• Each consignment of tomato fruit must be accompanied by either  a phytosanitary 
certificate, or a re -export phytosanitary certificate accompanied by a copy of the 
phytosanitary certificate, bearing the appropriate additional declaration as des cribed 
in Appendix 1 .  
 
 
 