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Wood is back in the news. Or maybe we
should say wood is still in the news. In July of 2006 the wood
regulations go into a full enforcement mode as Phase III goes into
effect in the U.S. This issue is not only something you must
be vitally concerned about if you are importing, but you must be
absolutely sure your shipment complies with your customers’ wood
regulations in their countries, when you export. Failure to
comply with export or import wood regulations can cost huge
penalties, detention or handling costs and lost time and heartburn.
Many people know that there are no native snakes
on the Hawaiian Islands. They make every effort to keep them
out. They ask that people report any snake sighting, so there
should be no infestation.
There is a similar worldwide problem with insect
infestation. Some countries actually import certain insects,
which would be an asset for certain crops, etc., but all countries
want to prevent infestation by insects, which are not native to each
country and would have no ecological purpose there. One widely
known method of transporting unwanted insects is via wood
infestation. Some countries began fumigation requirements for
shipments, which included any wood, decades ago. In recent
years with the huge increase in global trade and the nasty insects,
which sometimes accompany that trade, drastic steps had to be taken.
A couple websites to visit are www.ippc.int,
which lists 153 countries involved with International Phytosanitary
Portal and www.alsc.org, which
deals with enforcement of wood packaging. Contact your
international freight forwarder or customhouse broker with any
questions.
Brazil is discussing a major project with China
regarding a West Coast South American Port according to a recent
report. As with many other countries, Brazilian trade with
China has dramatically increased, but freight from Brazil has to
travel all the way around the south tip of South America or use the
Panama Canal. The thinking seems to be that a route to a
Peruvian port through the Andean mountains would save time and money
for Brazilian shipments to China.
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Can you picture the first transcontinental
railroad through the Rockies in the U.S.? Did you see any of
the recent PBS broadcasts of the construction of the Panama Canal?
Yes, technology has come a long way since those days, but it will be
interesting to see if a project like this ever gets a second look.
The board of the South Central Wisconsin
World Trade Association (SCWWTA) will meet in July to elect officers
and set the agenda for the coming meeting season.
Subject to ponder: With all the concern about
insect pests, could someone come up with a plan to eliminate the
mosquito? Are they of any earthly use except food for bats and
purple martins? Could we eliminate the mosquito and feed bats
and purple martins something else?
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