[US] Import Changes in Forthcoming USDA Rules

The [US] Department of Agriculture recently issued its semiannual regulatory agenda, which lists proposed and final regulations affecting international trade in agricultural goods that could be issued within the next year as well as rulemaking proceedings that have been in process for some time and are not as likely to see further progress in the near term.

The following rules apply to Canada.

Upcoming Regulations:

- an interim final rule requiring firewood of all species imported from Canada, including treated lumber (furniture scraps) sold as kindling, and all spruce logs imported from Nova Scotia to be heat-treated and accompanied by either a certificate of treatment or an attached commercial treatment label (January)

Regulations in Process:

- a final rule removing the exemption allowing wood packaging material from Canada to enter the U.S. without first meeting the treatment and marking requirements of the regulations that apply to wood packaging material from all other countries

The entire list is available on the Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Website.