Congress extends Andean trade agreement
Both the House and Senate approved a 6-month extension of the Andean Trade Preference and Drug Eradication Act for Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Society of American Florists reports the extension prevents the assessment of duties on importers of record. Colombia and Peru must complete the legislative process of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. within these 6 months to receive an additional 6 months for implementation. Ecuador and Bolivia need to negotiate and sign a free trade agreement with the U.S. by the end of June 2007 so that flowers can continue to trade free of duties. If an agreement is not reached, Ecuadorian and Bolivian products will be assessed duties starting on July 1, 2007.

California seeks to stop new invasives
Calif. Hort. Invasives Prevention (Cal-HIP) seeks to halt the introduction of invasive plants that can damage ecosystems and are expensive to control or remove once established. Cal-HIP members are devising methods to avoid producing, selling or promoting potentially invasive plants. The members have invited the state's hort. industry to join them in a new PlantRight program. Cal-HIP has identified problem plants and alternatives that will thrive in each region of California.

Housing slump could affect landscaping, ornamental sales
Irrigation Assoc. reports that the turf and landscape side of the irrigation industry could be slowed by a weakening housing market, which could result in reduced ornamental plant sales. The association cited U.S. Commerce Dept. figures showing home construction had dropped to its lowest level in almost 8 years. Jeff Carowitz of Strategic Force marketing said landscaping is one of the last things finished on a new home. "There is a lag time before a slowdown in housing begins to show in the results of irrigation manufacturers, distributors and contractors," he said. The association said high energy costs, increased use of ethanol, a strong ag. economy, a new farm bill, food safety and labor issues would be significant factors for ag. and ag. irrigation in 2007. Congress is expected to pass a new farm bill with an emphasis on conservation and energy that could have a major impact on ag.

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