Revisions to U.S.-Canada Plant Certification Program

Chris Beytes

If you ship plants to or from Canada, you’re probably up to speed on revisions to GCP, the bilateral export certification program for greenhouse-grown plants being shipped between the U.S. and Canada.

The aim of the revised program is to continue to facilitate the movement of greenhouse-grown plants between the two countries, while allowing authorized facilities to ship plants using a certification label (GCP sticker) in place of a phytosanitary certificate. The revised GCP strengthens oversight of plant movement, ensures consistent implementation of the program and reflects current business practices.

There are a few key changes:
• The name was changed from “Greenhouse Certification Program” to “Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program” to clarify that it’s the plants being certified, not the greenhouse.

• The current lists of excluded plants are replaced by a requirement for plants to meet both countries’ phytosanitary requirements.

• Authorized facilities have to prepare and use a written Pest Management Plan.

• There’s a mechanism for items like bamboo stakes, which currently require a separate phytosanitary certificate, to be included under the GCP sticker.

If you’re participating in the old GCP, you have two years to transition to the new program. You will need to re-apply and enter into a new compliance agreement.

To learn more, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov. GT