1. Introduction

For Quebec, as with numerous States, supply sources for agricultural and food products are located just about everywhere on the planet. The development of food markets on a global scale means consumers now have access to a wide variety of foods, both in and out of season. Quebec's market for foods bearing reserved designations are no exception to this trend, meaning that the integrity of these products must be subjected to controls, be they intended for sale or for transformation and then sale in Quebec.

Thus, if in other countries, states or province, for example, requirements related to the certification of agricultural and food products are less than those existing here in Quebec, this may lead to unfair competition and favor producers from foreign countries to the detriment of local producers. For this reason the Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants (CARTV) adopts the Regulations Pertaining to Acceptance of Products Coming from Outside Quebec. This regulation provides an efficient and credible framework for this program.