Comment from Brent Evans, Eckenberg Farms
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This is a Comment on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Proposed Rule: User Fees; Export Certification for Plants and Plant Products
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Comment
Eckenberg Farms is a major exporter of alfalfa and timothy from Washington State
exporting over 5,000 forty-foot containers of forage each year to overseas markets, primarily Japan and South Korea. On a volume basis, hay is the largest volume export item in our state, with all export companies located in Eastern Washington. Hay, however, is a high volume, low margin business competing in a worldwide market against other shippers located in Australia, Canada, China and other west coast states. We already pay relatively high fees to have each container certified with a phytosanitary certificate by local and state officials on behalf of the USDA. Our rural location means travel expenses by government inspectors is already high. This proposed new fee comes at a time when Asian markets are in recession and already struggling to buy our high quality, but costly hay products. To make matters worse, ocean freight rates increases are reducing our ability to compete. Exporters of hay in Washington State contribute significantly to employment in agricultural areas and also extends profound economic benefit to the nation's trucking and port industries. We believe these new fees to be harmful and a significant impediment to US exports and we ask that you withdraw any plans to implement these new fees at this time. Sincerely, Brent Evans International Sales Manager Eckenberg Farms
No documents available.
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Comment Period Closed
Aug 13 2007, at 11:59 PM ET
ID:
APHIS-2006-0137-0021
Tracking Number:
802647f6
Submitter Information
Submitter Name:
Brent Evans
City:
Mattawa
Country:
United States
State or Province:
WA
Organization Name:
Eckenberg Farms, Inc.
Submitter's Representative:
International Sales Manager
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