March 3, 2022 | Circular No. 11411

Dear Member,

As a follow up to CL 11392 advising changes to the regulated AGM periods for Russia and Japan, this circular letter reminds members of the AGM high risk periods in Canada and also provides supplemental information on the program.  At this time the CFIA advise there are no known outbreaks in any of the AGM regulated areas, where there were confirmed outbreaks in 2019 and 2020.  Last year, saw low AGM population levels in the regulated areas.

Port congestions remains a concern where vessels are waiting for longer periods of time, thus increasing the AGM risk, especially if anchoring in remote and forested areas.  The CFIA request for vessels to obtain their certificate as close to the departure time as possible which will reduce the probability of arriving Canada with AGM and request for vessels to be more vigilant with self-inspections.

Western Canada

The high risk period for AGM introduction via ships entering Western Canadian ports begins March 1, 2022.   More details can be found in the attached CFIA letter to industry.

Eastern Canada

The high risk period for AGM introduction via ships entering Eastern Canadian ports begins March 15, 2022.  More details can be found in the attached CFIA letter to industry.

More details on the AGM policy D-05-03 are available, however members are reminded:

  • Agents must notify CFIA of a high risk vessel’s arrival 96 hours in advance of arriving in Canadian waters. When the appropriate paperwork has been provided, the CFIA will send the agent electronic confirmation that the vessel may enter
  • Vessels arriving without advance notification and/or certification are considered noncompliant and are subject to enforcement action
  • Regulated vessels inspected for AGM are subject to applicable fees as listed in the CFIA Fees Notice (Part 12, Table 1, 8(f))
  • All marine vessels entering Canada are subject to inspection at any time of the year to verify freedom from AGM

Uncertified Vessels Arriving from AGM Regulated Areas

The CFIA acknowledge there are still issues to obtain AGM certificates in some countries, particularly China and have issued a Notice to the Marine Shipping Industry to provide guidance.  All uncertified vessels will be directed to an offshore anchorage location for inspection by the CFIA.  To avoid diversion upon arrival, for vessels that have called on AGM regulated ports with restrictions due to COVID-19 that affect availability of inspection and certification services, it may be possible to arrange for AGM inspection and certification in a port that does not have such restrictions.

  • If a vessel is calling on any port in any of the regulated areas prior to arriving in Canada, AGM inspection and certification can be requested; including China south of the area regulated for AGM.  This includes bunkering locations.
  • If a vessel is calling on a port outside of the AGM regulated area, AGM inspection and certification may be arranged through a branch office of some of the Japanese inspection and certification bodies that provide service outside of the regulated area
  • Alternatively, if a vessel is calling on a port outside of the AGM regulated area and in an area that does not have a branch office of a recognized inspection body, AGM inspection and certification may be arranged through one of the Japanese or Korean inspection and certification bodies that provide remote AGM inspection services

CFIA Inspections – COVID Measures

There are no changes to the start of the 2022 AGM season with respect to COVID mitigation measures, however CIFA continue to monitor the developments and will transition to pre-pandemic operations as local conditions allow.  They understand these measures impact their ability to deliver an efficient service on all programs.

2021 AGM High Risk Period Recap

The 2021 AGM season saw high levels of certification (97%) and a low number of AGM detections on vessels.  The CFIA deemed 2021 a very good season with high industry compliance as only 42 vessels arrived uncertified.  The CFIA conducted random inspections on 437 certified vessels and AGM was detected on 7 vessels.  The CFIA target to board 25% of certified vessels for physical inspections, and no deviations are required.

Please direct any questions to the undersigned.

Regards,

Chad Allen

Director, Marine Operations