Question Period Note: Notifications of non-compliance from China for imported Canadian logs

16 notifications of non-compliance received from China for imported Canadian logs.

• On June 9, 2020, Canada received 16 notifications of non-compliance from China related to the discovery of pests in shipments of hardwood and softwood logs

• Canada is investigating the notices of non-compliance as per standard response procedures.
• Trade of forestry products to China continues without disruption despite the notices

• The excellent quality of Canadian forestry products has allowed Canada to build confidence and trust among buyers around the world

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will continue to keep stakeholders up to date as the situation evolves.

On June 9, 2020, the CFIA received 16 Notifications of Non-Compliances (NNCs) from China related to exports of softwood and hardwood logs from Canada. An initial response letter to China acknowledging receipt of the NNCs was sent by the CFIA. The CFIA is also investigating these notifications, including verification of the validity of the phytosanitary certificates that accompanied the exports.

The names of the pests reported on the NNCs were sent to the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) to verify their status as pests and whether they are associated with the Canadian or US species of logs exported to China. Based on initial response from CFS, it appears that two of the insects reported are not known to occur in North America and one of these is not known to occur in Canada. This information will be further analysed.

In 2019, value of exports of softwood and hardwood logs from Canada to China was $403 million, with over 90% of exports to China from the province of British Columbia.

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