This post was prepared by Flowers Canada Growers:
As of January 29th, 2018, the rollout of the United States-Canada Greenhouse Certification Program (GCP) is delayed, as government agencies and industry associations complete preparation of training and guidance packages for their staff and members.
What does this mean? For those currently on the Canadian Greenhouse Certification Program (CGCP), this may result in tighter timelines later in 2018 to apply and provide appropriate documentation to the CFIA. Continue reading for specifics.
When can I apply?
- CFIA and APHIS are completing their internal training programs and the country-specific directives (i.e. CFIA directive D-16-02). Once these are complete, their operations staff still need to go through the training before the program can be rolled out.
- We anticipate that the application process will be available in the summer of 2018, but there are no clear deadlines at this stage
- FCG/FIHOQ will keep members updated as more information is available
How can I get ready?
- In the interim, facilities can review the online GCP Technical Requirements (June 2016). They are also available through your association or from CFIA
- If your facility produces plants, begin to prepare the “List of Plants in Production” (GCP Part IV, Section 2.2.2)
What support is available?
- Flowers Canada Growers Inc. has accessed funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop a training program to assist members in applying for and transitioning to the GCP
- The training program will be available by late February in both English and French (online version will be free for members)
- Immediate support for developing the List of Plants in Production is available for members
- Contact Jeanine West (Jeanine@fco.ca), or for support in French contact Guillaume Gregoire (guillaume.gregoire@fihoq.qc.ca)
Funding for this project has been provided by the Government of Canada, Flowers Canada Growers Inc., and the Fédération Interdisciplinaire de l’Horticulture Ornementale du Québec.