USDA delays new inspection rules

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has delayed the effective date for inspections of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables, commercial vessels, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft, as well as international passengers entering the United States from Canada.

It will be establishing a staggered implementation for the collection of user fees. The delay will allow affected industries time to prepare for the change.

The interim rule establishing these fees was originally scheduled to take effect on Nov. 24. The delay will allow affected groups to make necessary preparations in order to comply with the inspection and collection procedures that will be instituted.

Effective Jan. 1, 2007, air passengers arriving in the United States from Canada will no longer be exempt from the international air passenger user fee. Effective March 1, 2007, the remaining provisions of the rule will take effect, including the removal of the user fee exemption for all commercial conveyances entering the United States from Canada.

Maine’s U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, had contacted Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to express concerns about the proposed plan to levy new user fees on all commercial shipments that enter the United States from Canada.

Collins said, “This is welcome news. It is crucial that the Department of Agriculture take all relevant factors into consideration before implementing these user fees, which could have an effect on the flow of trade over the U.S-Canada border.”

All inspections on the U.S.-Canada border are conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. Recent inspections along the U.S.-Canadian border resulted in numerous interceptions of prohibited fruits and vegetables, originating from regions other than Canada. APHIS is also concerned about agricultural and other products originating in Canada that could serve as host material for pests and diseases if left uninspected.

Notice of this action is scheduled for publication in the Nov. 22 Federal Register. To read the interim rule, please go to www.aphis.usda.gov.