Chile Updates Plant Health Requirements for Olive and Strawberry Imports

Chile has updated phytosanitary requirements for olive stakes and strawberry plants, reinforcing plant health safeguards with new import standards.

Updated Phytosanitary Requirements for Importing Olive Stakes and Strawberry Plants into Chile

Chile has recently reinforced its phytosanitary import standards for olive stakes and strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa), primarily through updates to the Resolution No. 6,293 of 2024, as modified by Resolution No. 5,352 of 2026 (published in the Diario Oficial on June 25, 2026). While the provided sources focus predominantly on strawberry plants, they establish a regulatory framework for phytosanitary controls that may apply analogously to other regulated plant materials, including olive stakes. Below is a structured breakdown of the updated requirements, authorities, and compliance obligations.

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework

The updated phytosanitary requirements are grounded in the following Chilean laws and regulations:

2. Updated Phytosanitary Requirements for Strawberry Plants (Fragaria × ananassa)

The amendments to Resolution No. 6,293 of 2024 (via Resolution No. 5,352 of 2026) introduce stricter controls to prevent the introduction of regulated pests. Key requirements include:

A. Pest-Specific Requirements

1. Fungal Pathogens:
   • The production site must be inspected during the optimal detection period, and samples must undergo official laboratory analysis confirming freedom from:
   • Colletotrichum acutatum (replacing the broader Colletotrichum acutatum complex)¹.
   • Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum truncatum (= Colletotrichum capsici), Neopestalotiopsis rosae, and Peronospora fragariae¹.
   • Colletotrichum acutatum was removed from Chile’s absent quarantine pest list (Resolution No. 3,080 of 2003) due to its reported presence in the country.

1. Nematodes:
   • The shipment must be free of the following nematodes, confirmed by official laboratory analysis:
   • Aphelenchoides besseyi
   • Ditylenchus dipsaci (except Chilean populations)
   • Longidorus elongatus
   • Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus fallax, Pratylenchus zeae
   • Radopholus similis sensu lato
   • Scutellonema brachyurus
   • Xiphinema americanum sensu lato (except Chilean populations), Xiphinema americanum sensu stricto, and Xiphinema diversicaudatum¹.

1. Other Regulated Pests:
   • Aphelenchoides fragariae was removed from Chile’s quarantine pest list (Resolution No. 3,080 of 2003) after its detection in Chile¹.

B. Production Site and Inspection Requirements

• The place of production must be inspected during the optimal detection period for the targeted pests¹.
• Official laboratory analysis is mandatory for samples taken from the plants¹.

C. Documentation and Certification

• Importers must provide a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country (e.g., USDA-APHIS for the United States), attesting compliance with Chile’s requirements¹.
• The certificate must include:
  • Confirmation of pest-free status for the regulated pests listed above.
  • Details of the inspection and laboratory analysis conducted at the production site.

D. Post-Entry Quarantine (if applicable)

• Strawberry plants may be subject to post-entry quarantine under the following resolutions:
  • Resolution No. 6,383 of 2013: General requirements for post-entry quarantine¹.
  • Resolution No. 7,315 of 2013: Regulations for on-farm post-entry quarantine¹.
  • Resolution No. 7,316 of 2013: Regulations for absolute post-entry quarantine and filter quarantine¹.
  • Resolution No. 7,317 of 2013: Regulations for post-entry quarantine at designated centers¹.

3. Implications for Olive Stakes

While the provided sources do not explicitly mention olive stakes, the regulatory framework for strawberry plants reflects Chile’s broader approach to phytosanitary controls for propagation material. Key considerations for olive stakes include:

1. General Phytosanitary Requirements:
   • Olive stakes are likely subject to Resolution No. 3,815 of 2003, which governs the import of regulated plant articles¹.
   • Importers must comply with pest-specific requirements based on Chile’s quarantine pest list (Resolution No. 3,080 of 2003)¹.

1. Potential Regulated Pests for Olive Stakes:
   • While not listed in the provided sources, common regulated pests for olive stakes may include:
   • Verticillium dahliae (Verticillium wilt)
   • Xylella fastidiosa (if applicable under Chile’s quarantine pest list)
   • Bactrocera oleae (olive fruit fly)
   • Importers should consult SAG’s updated quarantine pest list (Resolution No. 3,080 of 2003) for specific requirements¹.

1. Documentation:
   • A phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country’s NPPO is mandatory, attesting to pest-free status¹.
   • Additional inspection or treatment requirements (e.g., fumigation, heat treatment) may apply based on SAG’s risk assessment.

1. Post-Entry Quarantine:
   • Olive stakes may be subject to post-entry quarantine under the same resolutions applicable to strawberry plants (e.g., Resolutions No. 6,383, 7,315, 7,316, or 7,317 of 2013)¹.

4. Compliance Steps for Importers

To comply with Chile’s updated phytosanitary requirements, importers of strawberry plants or olive stakes should follow these steps:

1. Pre-Export Preparation:
   • Verify that the production site is free of regulated pests through official inspections and laboratory analysis¹.
   • Ensure the exporting country’s NPPO issues a phytosanitary certificate confirming compliance with Chile’s requirements¹.

1. Documentation:
   • Submit the phytosanitary certificate and any additional documentation (e.g., laboratory reports) to SAG upon arrival¹.

1. Import Inspection:
   • The shipment will undergo SAG inspection at the point of entry (e.g., ports designated under Decree No. 510 of 2016)¹.
   • Non-compliant shipments may be rejected, treated, or destroyed¹.

1. Post-Entry Quarantine (if applicable):
   • If required, the material must undergo post-entry quarantine under SAG’s supervision¹.

5. Enforcement and Penalties

• SAG is the competent authority for enforcing phytosanitary regulations¹.
• Non-compliance may result in:
  • Rejection of the shipment at the border.
  • Mandatory treatment or destruction of the material at the importer’s expense.
  • Fines or legal action under Decree Law No. 3,557 of 1980¹.

Summary Answer

Chile has updated its phytosanitary import requirements for strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa) through Resolution No. 5,352 of 2026, which amends Resolution No. 6,293 of 2024. Key changes include:

1. Stricter pest-specific requirements, including laboratory confirmation of freedom from Colletotrichum spp., Peronospora fragariae, and regulated nematodes¹.
2. Removal of Aphelenchoides fragariae and Colletotrichum acutatum complex from Chile’s quarantine pest list due to their reported presence in the country¹.
3. Mandatory inspections and laboratory analysis at the production site¹.

For olive stakes, while not explicitly detailed in the provided sources, importers must comply with Resolution No. 3,815 of 2003 and SAG’s quarantine pest list (Resolution No. 3,080 of 2003). A phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country’s NPPO is required, and post-entry quarantine may apply¹. Importers should consult SAG for pest-specific requirements applicable to olive stakes. Non-compliance may result in rejection, treatment, or destruction of the shipment¹.

Sources

1. ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-03467 — Chile https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/CHL/26_03467_00_s.pdf