USDA delays implementation of Canadian inspection fees
USDA delays implementation of Canadian inspection fees
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to delay collection of new inspection fees for Canadian shipments coming across the U.S. border, but Canadian authorities are still pressing for the rule to be withdrawn.
Starting Nov. 24, USDA had planned to begin collecting user fees to step up inspections of Canadian fruits and vegetables, commercial vessels, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft. The rule was written, said USDA, to counteract a growing threat of invasive pests and diseases from Canadian shipments, particularly those originating in other countries that are shipped through Canada to the United States.
But in the wake of complaints about the "emergency rule," USDA announced that the fees would not be enforced until March 1, 2007, which was intended to "allow affected industries time to prepare for the change." Effective Jan. 1, 2007, however, air passengers arriving in the United States from Canada will no longer be exempt from the international air passenger user fee.
Both countries should work out a plan that avoids delaying shipments of $1.5 billion worth of goods that cross the border each day, said Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl. The rule would require all commercial vehicles entering the United States to pay a $5.25 fee and be subject to new agricultural inspections.
"While Canada's new government welcomes the USDA's decision to delay implementation of the interim rule, we nevertheless stand by our position that this rule should be withdrawn," Mr. Strahl said in a Nov. 23 statement. "Canada has suggested an alternate approach to address any legitimate U.S. concerns and allow time for bilateral discussion to avoid a further 'thickening' of the border."
David Bradley, chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, said that he is happy for the delay but that a rule which "taxes every truck crossing from Canada into the United States whether they are hauling agricultural products or not should be withdrawn."
He added, "The border continues to thicken at a time when the North American economies should be seeking efficiencies in the supply chain to compete with the emerging economies."
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) agreed. "We need to spend the upcoming months working with Customs & Border Protection, importers and exporters, and the Canadian government to craft a rule that won't unintentionally tie up cross-border commerce," said Rep. Slaughter, who has urged USDA to reconsider the inspection rule.
"I remain confident that DHS and the USDA can author a rule that will protect the U.S. from agricultural pests without increasing border delays or unfairly penalizing shippers."
But other groups support the current rule. In comments submitted earlier in November, the National Potato Council said that the long-overdue rule "provides our government with significant new resources, tools and authority to further safeguard our potato growers from invasive pests and diseases."
Starting Nov. 24, USDA had planned to begin collecting user fees to step up inspections of Canadian fruits and vegetables, commercial vessels, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft. The rule was written, said USDA, to counteract a growing threat of invasive pests and diseases from Canadian shipments, particularly those originating in other countries that are shipped through Canada to the United States.
But in the wake of complaints about the "emergency rule," USDA announced that the fees would not be enforced until March 1, 2007, which was intended to "allow affected industries time to prepare for the change." Effective Jan. 1, 2007, however, air passengers arriving in the United States from Canada will no longer be exempt from the international air passenger user fee.
Both countries should work out a plan that avoids delaying shipments of $1.5 billion worth of goods that cross the border each day, said Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl. The rule would require all commercial vehicles entering the United States to pay a $5.25 fee and be subject to new agricultural inspections.
"While Canada's new government welcomes the USDA's decision to delay implementation of the interim rule, we nevertheless stand by our position that this rule should be withdrawn," Mr. Strahl said in a Nov. 23 statement. "Canada has suggested an alternate approach to address any legitimate U.S. concerns and allow time for bilateral discussion to avoid a further 'thickening' of the border."
David Bradley, chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, said that he is happy for the delay but that a rule which "taxes every truck crossing from Canada into the United States whether they are hauling agricultural products or not should be withdrawn."
He added, "The border continues to thicken at a time when the North American economies should be seeking efficiencies in the supply chain to compete with the emerging economies."
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) agreed. "We need to spend the upcoming months working with Customs & Border Protection, importers and exporters, and the Canadian government to craft a rule that won't unintentionally tie up cross-border commerce," said Rep. Slaughter, who has urged USDA to reconsider the inspection rule.
"I remain confident that DHS and the USDA can author a rule that will protect the U.S. from agricultural pests without increasing border delays or unfairly penalizing shippers."
But other groups support the current rule. In comments submitted earlier in November, the National Potato Council said that the long-overdue rule "provides our government with significant new resources, tools and authority to further safeguard our potato growers from invasive pests and diseases."
