WASHINGTON, DC — Canadian carriers and shippers got a bit of breathing space this week when the US Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Inspection Service announced it is delaying the effective date and establishing staggered implementation for the collection of user fees 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.

The interim rule establishing the fee was originally scheduled to take effect on Nov. 24 for trucks has been delayed to March 1, 2007.

This delay will allow affected groups to make necessary preparations in order to comply with the inspection and collection procedures that will be instituted.

David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, says he is happy about the delay, but there are a lot of issues still to be ironed out. We still feel strongly that the program, which will tax every truck crossing from Canada into the United States whether they are hauling agricultural products or not, should be withdrawn.