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If you import plant material for research, trialing, or under post-entry quarantine, you should familiarize yourself with the new Controlled Import Permit (“CIP”) regulations issued by USDA-APHIS. The CIP permit replaces the old departmental permits and also encompasses Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) agreements. The new CIP regulations went into effect on June 3, 2013.

Filed under: USDA • regulation

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Employers waiting for years in a legislative desert for some needed rain in the form of immigration reform and workforce solutions are one small step closer to relief. On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 15 on a procedural motion to move to consider S.744, the immigration bill. The process of considering amendments to the bill is expected to continue through the month of June.

Filed under: immigration • legislation

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Monday evening, the Senate passed the 2013 Farm Bill (S. 954, Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013) by a vote of 66-27. The strong support for the bill from both sides of the aisle puts significant pressure on the U.S. House to follow suit when they begin debate on their version of the bill next week

Filed under: Farm Bill • legislation

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Many ANLA members offering landscape services turn to the H-2B visa program to supplement their workforce when too few American workers apply for seasonal jobs. Unfortunately, efforts by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to add layers of new bureaucracy and an inflated wage structure threaten the program, and have resulted in a tangle of litigation and Congressional intervention.

Filed under: immigration • H-2B • legislation

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Joe Bischoff, Craig Regelbrugge

In late April we reported on the efforts of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means to reform the U.S. taxcode and the potential impact reforms could have on nursery operations’ access to cash accounting practices. The reforms would require C Corporations, including nurseries, with revenue over $10 million to use accrual accounting with inventory. Recent weeks have shown an increased momentum on reform efforts. Senator Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Congressman Camp, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means together launched the website www.taxreform.gov. In addition, Camp highlighted the recent investigation of the IRS as a reason why we need a simpler tax code and why reform is needed. Baucus and Camp are doing everything they can for reform to gain traction.

Filed under: taxes • legislation