The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has refiled for Federal Register publication its notice that announces a revision to its enforcement phase-in plan for the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/23/09 news, 09012305, for BP summary of pulled notice.) (Draft FR notice available at http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-02232_PI.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has pulled a notice that was intended to be published in the January 23, 2009 Federal Register, that would have announced a revision to its enforcement phase-in plan for the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products, provided information on its exemptions, etc.
The following are the trade-related bills and resolutions that were introduced in the House or Senate during January 6-7, 2009:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted to its Lacey Act Web page new PPQ Form 505 (December 2008), entitled "Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form" for imported plants and plant products.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are working to liberalize the proposed phase-in plan, scheduled to begin in April 2009, for enforcing the imported plant and plant products declaration required by the Lacey Act Amendments, which was enacted as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
On May 22, 2008, new enforcement tools primarily designed to combat illegal logging were added as amendments to the Lacey Act. These amendments also place additional requirements on importers.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service held a public meeting on October 14, 2008 to discuss the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement1 for imported plants and plant products that is scheduled to be enforced on a phased-in basis once the declaration can be filed electronically (approximately April 1, 2009).
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that the Port of Presidio, Texas (2403) was reopened on October 9, 2008. Filers are advised to resume filing at the port immediately. (CSMS 08-000271, dated 10/10/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17295&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice to inform the public of the new Lacey Act provisions enacted by the 2008 Farm Bill, including the declaration required to be submitted at time of importation for certain plants and plant products that takes effect on December 15, 2008, and APHIS' plan for phasing-in and enforcing this requirement.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted the draft agenda for the 2008 Trade Symposium, which will be held on October 29-31, 2008 in Washington, DC.