The CanadaGAP Addendum for Pollinator Health (IPM) is an optional add-on checklist that will be provided in conjunction with CanadaGAP on-site audits for certification options C and E. This addendum will be available for CanadaGAP program participants beginning April 1, 2025. The addendum has been approved by the IPM Institute of North America as meeting Walmart requirements for protection of pollinator health.
Pollinator Health Addendum Checklist
The Pollinator Health Addendum Checklist will be updated as needed to ensure requirements for the protection of pollinator health are met. Program participants are encouraged to review the addendum prior to their audit to ensure they are well prepared.
Component 6 – CanadaGAP Program Management Manual
Component 6 outlines the procedures for delivery of the addendum by Certification Bodies and auditors.
Addendum specific CAR Form
The second tab in the Excel file of the CanadaGAP Corrective Action Request Form is to be used with the addendum. Until April 1, 2025, a PDF copy of the sheet is available as a resource.
Introductory Presentation on the Addendum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Walmart U.S.A is requiring a pollinator health addendum for their suppliers beginning in 2025. The CanadaGAP Addendum for Pollinator Health has been developed to meet these requirements. Other buyers/retailers may follow suit. An operation should proceed with the pollinator health addendum if their buyers request it. If an operation is uncertain about whether this addendum is required, we strongly encourage them to speak directly to their buyers.
An operation must be enrolled for an annual CanadaGAP audit and must communicate directly with their certification body (CB) to indicate that they would like the addendum added to the scope of the audit. The addendum will not automatically be completed as part of the CanadaGAP audit.
Yes, there will be an extra cost. The certification bodies (CBs) will be charging an extra fee to growers who want the addendum included in their CanadaGAP audit. Each CB will be setting their own fee for the addendum; the grower should contact their CB for more information about the cost. There will be no additional program fees charged directly by CanadaGAP.
Similar to the CanadaGAP audit, there is a corrective action process available for operations that do not pass the addendum. Operations will use an addendum-specific CAR Form to submit details and evidence to their Certification Body for approval. If corrections are not possible in the current year, a corrective action plan may be acceptable. For complete details on the CAR process for the Pollinator Health Addendum, and to download the CAR form, please refer to the CAR page.
Once an operation achieves a passing score on the addendum, either the certificate issued by the certification body, or an addendum to the certificate, will indicate successful completion.
CanadaGAP is making available the Addendum checklist, the Addendum CAR Form, and Component 6 of the CanadaGAP Program Management Manual that outlines the rules and framework for audits and certification to the Pollinator Health Addendum. Additionally, a training module for CanadaGAP auditors is available to ensure clear and consistent application of the program rules during audits against the Addendum. This training is only available to active CanadaGAP auditors and certification body personnel.
Due to the region-specific and crop-specific nature of IPM programs, an operation who is looking to add the addendum is encouraged to seek training or assistance from resources in their area. Grower associations, provincial/territorial governments, crop extensions, or academic institutions will be able to provide the best information on developing and implementing IPM programs specific to an operation.