11/08/2024
APHIS Proposes Updated Veterinary Services User Fees
Check out this week's Customs Corner to read about the proposed updated veterinary services user fees, the Canadian West Coast strike, and more.
1) APHIS Proposes Updated Veterinary Services User Fees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to its user fees for veterinary diagnostic goods and services, along with veterinary services for imports and exports of live animals and animal products.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a call for public comment on proposed changes to user fees for veterinary diagnostic goods and services, as well as for veterinary services related to the import and export of live animals and animal products. This proposal, detailed in a notice available in the Federal Register, seeks to update APHIS fees to better align with the current costs of providing these services.
The proposed fee adjustments would support the hiring and training of additional personnel and enhancements in information technology, such as systems for issuing export health certificates, which are crucial for trade processes. APHIS's fees for these services have not been revised since 2012, despite an updated process for setting user fees established in 2023. APHIS’s import and export fees support a wide range of essential activities across the country, including operations at border locations and quarantine facilities, and help cover the costs of personnel, facilities, and technology systems used in these services. Importantly, APHIS does not receive appropriated funds for these activities, making user fees essential for maintaining service quality.
Stakeholders have 30 days to review and comment on these changes, after which APHIS will review feedback, issue a final notice, and post the new fees on their website. For more information, you can contact APHIS at [email protected].
2) Canadian West Coast Strike
The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) initiated a lockout of over 700 port workers on November 4, following a 72-hour strike notice issued by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514.
The ongoing labor dispute on Canada’s West Coast is causing major disruptions to port and rail operations. This has led to work stoppages at key ports, including Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Fraser-Surrey, with no clear end in sight.
In response, CN Rail has halted all international intermodal shipments to West Coast ports, impacting Prince Rupert, Robbank, Centerm, Vanterm, and Fraser Surrey Docks. Likewise, CPKC Rail suspended the acceptance of export loads and pre-billed empty containers destined for Vancouver ports as of November 4. Additionally, Montreal Gateway Terminal (MGT) will suspend rail operations starting November 5, leading CPKC to restrict exports and pre-billed empties bound for POM Racine and Cast.
If your cargo relies on Canadian ports and rail systems for transfer to the U.S., these disruptions could significantly affect your shipments. For real-time updates, check the BCMEA website and consult your logistics providers to explore alternative routes or solutions to minimize delays.
3) TSA Announces Proposed Rule Requiring Cyber Risk Management Programs
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to mandate cyber risk management and reporting requirements for certain surface transportation owners and operators.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a Proposed Rule aimed at bolstering cybersecurity for critical surface transportation infrastructure in the U.S. According to TSA Administrator David Pekoske, the rule builds on collaborative efforts with industry partners to enhance cybersecurity resilience. The proposed rule focuses on performance-based requirements, building upon guidelines set out in TSA Security Directives since 2021, and aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) cybersecurity framework and cross-sector goals from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The rule proposes three main requirements:
- Cyber Risk Management Programs: Higher-risk pipeline, freight railroad, passenger railroad, and rail transit operators would be required to establish and maintain comprehensive cyber risk management programs.
- Cybersecurity Incident Reporting: Higher-risk transportation operators, including certain bus-only public transportation and over-the-road bus operators, would need to report cybersecurity incidents to CISA. This extends current reporting obligations, which cover only significant physical security concerns.
- Physical Security Coordinator Designation: Higher-risk pipeline operators would need to designate a physical security coordinator and report physical security concerns to TSA, similar to current requirements for rail and bus operations.
These requirements aim to ensure that the surface transportation sector is better prepared to manage cyber risks, which are critical to the security and resilience of national infrastructure.
TSA encourages public and industry feedback on this proposed regulation to ensure robust protections across the sector.
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