Import regulations change for bamboo and tropical wood species

Changing market trends have seen an increase in the trade and import of non-manufactured wood products to Canada. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in an increase of exotic plant pests finding their way to this country in the imported wood. To ensure these importations do not constitute an unacceptable risk for the spread of forest pests, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently issued a new directive regulating the entry of non-propagative wood products (Directive D-02-12). Note: The import requirements for propagative plants and plant products are regulated by the CFIA Horticulture Section.

With the release of directive D-02-12, CFIA has set new phytosanitary import requirements for logs, tropical lumber, wood with bark attached, lumber, wood chips, bark chips, bamboo products, decorative wood items and cones without seed from areas of the world other than the continental United States (US).

The full text of Directive D-02-12 can be found at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-02-12e.shtml#a. If you have any concerns about commodities you are currently importing, contact your local CFIA office.