<p>All loads of fresh fruits and vegetables crossing the border into Canada must be imported by a member of the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) or by a licensee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). If this condition is not met, loads will be potentially turned back at the border.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Currently, 91% of Canadian buyers have opted for the DRC membership to satisfy federal requirements. While the requirement has been in place for nearly two years, DRC continues to receive panicked calls from buyers or sellers whose loads are being held, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “In some cases we are able to accommodate a very expedited membership process to help clear the load, but only when the buyer is able to provide all of the required documentation including references from current DRC members,” said Fred Webber, President and CEO. “In other cases however, if the applicant does not have clear documentation and good references it can take several days to vet and investigate the application. There are also cases where an applicant needs to post financial security if the vetting process warrants it.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The DRC asserts that it is essential for keep trade on track that sellers verify their Canadian buyer is a DRC member or has a valid federal produce license to avoid complications along the marketing chain.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://fvdrc.com/en/home.aspx" target="_new"> Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
