The U.S. Congress was not able to act on an extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) that is set to expire tomorrow, February 12, 2011. Importers will be assessed duties starting Sunday, February 13, 2011 at the rate of 3.2 to 6.8 percent.
In December 2010 at the very last hour Congress passed a six week extension of the ATPDEA which allowed flowers to be imported for Valentine’s Day duty free.
Knowing that a six week extension at the beginning of a new Congress with about 100 freshmen was going to be a hard task to get an extension accomplished in a short time, AFIF decided to be proactive and made visits to Congress from January 25th through February 10, 2011. During the Congressional visits there was an overwhelming support for the ATPDEA renewal. But, there was not that support for some of the additional items that were being “attached” to the ATPDEA renewal. AFIF, along with delegations from Colombia and Ecuador, expressed to the Congress the detriment that the lapse of the preferences will have on the flower importing companies.
Next week Congress will be back in session and they indicated that the ATPDEA is one that they will work on. The hope is that Congress can work out their difference and pass another extension of the ATPDEA. AFIF will continue to make sure that Congress moves forward so that the flower industry is not burdened by paying duties for a long period of time.
Ways and Means Chairman, Dave Camp (R-MI) stated “…….Without this commitment from the Administration, other trade measures – such as TAA and ATPA, which we sought to extend this week – are now in limbo, and American workers will suffer as a result.”
For additional information about the items that are being attached and are holding up the extension contact Christine at AFIF for details. Contact information: Christine@AFIFnet.org or AFIF office at 305-593-2393
Source: Association of Floral Importers of Florida
