What authority does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have to come onto my property?
A5. Section 25 of the Plant Protection Act allows an inspector to enter and inspect any place, conveyance or thing. This includes your yard, barn(s) or other buildings. The only exception to this section is your dwelling, where a warrant is required. While the CFIA would rather complete our inspection with the cooperation of the landowner, it should be noted that we may obtain the assistance of a peace officer if we are refused entry. Q6. What if contractors damage my property when removing trees? A6. The CFIA will be doing everything possible to minimize any damage but as part of the contracting process, tree cutting companies must accept liability for any unreasonable damage done to property. The CFIA stipulates in its contract process that contractors must avoid any unnecessary damage to property. They also must be indemnified. The CFIA is also working with independent third-party consultants to assess any damage to agricultural fields or woodlots caused by soil compaction. If requi
