Approaching two years since fumigation requirements were slapped on Canadian pulse imports following several years of being exempt, Canada and other export countries have been granted an extended reprieve.
Announced July 2, the Government of India has extended “relaxation” of fumigation requirements to the end of 2019. Canada had long been exempt from the fumigation requirement, due to a lack of storage insect pest pressure and the lack of use of methyl bromide — the required fumigant.
The current rule requires an increased inspection fee (approximately US$12/MT) for un-fumigated imports in-lieu of methyl bromide fumigation. This is the fourth extension of the fumigation rule change since 2017.
“While Canada has yet to have a response to our request for a complete exemption based on the science of pests of concern in India and Canada’s pests controlled with MeBr (methyl bromide), this extension doesn’t come as a surprise,” says Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada.
Canada will continue to push for a response from India on the fumigation policy for Canada, Bacon says.
Breaking News – Government of India extends relaxation of fumigation requirements until 31 December 2019. pic.twitter.com/aT11NXKEst
— GPC (@CICILSIPTIC) July 2, 2019
