The new regulation removes the user-fee exemption APHIS previously granted to trucks, rail cars, vessels and airliners entering the country from Canada. It also subjects commercial conveyances to agricultural quarantine inspections, whether or not they are transporting agricultural products.

The rule became effective Jan. 1 for airliners and is scheduled to take effect March 1 for all other commercial conveyances.

The Pet Food Institute in December joined with the National Grain and Feed Association, the North American Export Grain Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association in criticizing APHIS for the manner in which it implemented the rule. The trade organizations complained that APHIS had not indicated whether it had conducted a formal scientific risk assessment that justified the emergency rule, nor provided an opportunity for public comment. The groups also faulted APHIS for not providing specific information on how it would implement the rule without disrupting shipments.

The user fees are intended to help APHIS and the Department of Homeland Security recover their agricultural quarantine and inspection costs and expand activities along the U.S.-Canadian border to decrease the risk of pests and diseases entering the United States. [March 2007 PET AGE]