Phytosanitary requirements and Certification

Phytosanitary requirements are measures established by individual countries primarily aiming at preventing contamination and the spread of pests and diseases within their territory, thus protecting their crops and natural biodiversity. These requirements vary according to the organization and characteristics of each country and must be complied with by exporters as an inherent part of international trade. For this reason, exporters must contact the importer from the country of destination to learn about the trading rules affecting plants and vegetables, their products, by-products, and residues. In possession of the rules and requirements of the country of interest, the exporter should contact Brazilian institutions to obtain the necessary official documents.

In the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA), the Department of Plant Health (DSV) and Agricultural Inputs under the Secretariat of Animal and Plant Health (SDA) is responsible for negotiating the phytosanitary requirements with foreign authorities, as the National Phytosanitary Protection Organization (NPPO) of Brazil.

DSV is also responsible for defining the process of phytosanitary certification to be followed by the exporter, according to the phytosanitary requirements and agreements that have been established with the country of destination. The International Phytosanitary Certificate (CF) certifies the phytosanitary conditions of plants, their products and by-products and other regulated articles.

 Once the requirements, additional declarations and other information required by the importer country have been agreed on, the International Phytosanitary Certificate (CF) shall be issued exclusively by the Federal Agricultural Inspectors/Auditors (AFFA) at ports, international airports, border inspection posts and special customs facilities as part of the operations of the International Agricultural Surveillance, also under SDA structure.

To access the phytosanitary requirements already established for export by different countries, visit the System for Phytosanitary Requirements of Export (T-Rex).