Horticultural Trades Association’s Post

What impact will the SCOTUS Chevron deference decision have on the the trade community? As Customs brokers we are bombarded daily with new regulations from Customs and PGA’s. This ruling, I am hoping, will be a net positive. Many regulations are written as a knee jerk reaction to events. Going forward, congress will have to be directly involved in writing regulations rather than the agencies themselves. This means the process will be inherently slower. And that’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to see how it plays out. https://lnkd.in/guh99SqN

🏘We're at the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) event - A new momentum for affordable housing in the EU? - debating Europe’s housing emergency. EFBWW GS, Tom Deleu, underlined: 🔹 the lack of social aspect in von der Leyen’s mission letter to the new commissioner for Energy and Housing 🔹 problem of subcontracting chains too often linked to criminality 🔹 the revision of the public procurement directive must include mandatory social clauses in public tenders and that the “lowest price” is still the main criterion to award a contract. 🔹 asbestos is still present: we need urgent legislation on screening, registering and monitoring of asbestos.

China’s domestic environmental industry rapid development led to 90% of equipment can rely on domestic manufacturing. Domestic player’s products are cost-effective as the fierce competition. Currently China environmental industry equipment only 2% exported.   In the future, we expect more Chinese environmental protection products to go abroad, which may help improve the supply chain for international players.  #water #supplychain #China #waste #development #equipment

How Extended Producer Responsibility Works in Ukraine Experts from the PAEW Association analyzed how the provisions of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are applied in the context of used lubricating oils. They noted that this area is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine's resolution dated December 17, 2012, No. 1221, “On Certain Issues of Collection, Transportation, Storage, Treatment (Recycling), Disposal, and/or Neutralization of Used Lubricating Oils.” The specialists found that several requirements of this resolution are not functioning effectively: 1. The State Fiscal Service and the State Environmental Inspectorate have not ensured continuous information exchange regarding the volumes of imported and/or produced oils sold in Ukraine, their circulation, collection, treatment (recycling), disposal, and/or neutralization. 2. Since 2018, the controlling powers of the State Environmental Inspectorate at border crossing points and in the operational zones of destination and dispatch customs have been revoked, meaning it cannot fully perform its functions as stipulated by this resolution. 3. Since 2018, the Ministry of Environmental Protection's initiative to implement an experimental project for regulating the collection, transportation, storage, treatment, disposal, and neutralization of used lubricating oils has not been realized. This initiative aimed to introduce a Temporary Procedure from September 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, which would have organized the existing system for handling used oils and created conditions for the legalization of operations with hazardous waste occurring in the shadow economy. Source:  https://lnkd.in/eXMBhRnV #ACCroweUkraine #WeAreCrowe #CroweGlobal #Eco #GreenOffice #eco

Legal battle to stop deadly air: The key theme in the air quality case heard in the supreme court of appeal this week focused on holding government and polluters to account. https://lnkd.in/dYBG2bRQ

Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association and Forest Owners Association addressed the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Select Committee yesterday on non-tariff barriers to trade. My delayed flight to Wellington (engineering issues 🙃) meant I participated via Zoom. You can view the session here: https://lnkd.in/gFZb7Z_3. Non-tariff barriers significantly impact New Zealand's wood product exports, creating trade distortions. We emphasized the importance of clear and uncomplicated trade regulations. Phytosantiary measures and sustainability requirements should not be a barrier to trading New Zealand products, and yet we are seeing exactly that happen as a result of unclear or complex monitoring, verification and reporting requirements. Our competitors' domestic subsidies for manufacturing also pose a challenge to global competitiveness, and can include everything from free electricity to direct cash subsidies. We urged the Government to take more and stronger proactive steps in addressing these barriers for the benefit of our industry. Engagement from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry for Primary Industries is crucial as we tackle non-tariff barriers - and we need to hold others to account and ensure compliance with international treaties on illegal logging and timber smuggling. Foresters and wood processors need now more than ever to navigate market challenges and expand our trade opportunities, and we need government support to do that effectively. We appreciate the committee's opportunity to voice our concerns, including the option to participate remotely. We will continue our dialogue with relevant agencies on these critical trade issues.

⚓ Switzerland has ratified an important amendment to the Convention on the collection, deposit and reception of waste generated during navigation on the Rhine and other inland waterways (CDNI), marking a significant step towards environmental protection and air quality preservation. 🚢 The amendment, effective from 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, will gradually ban the ventilation of harmful vapors from inland navigation vessels, starting with the most harmful substances. ✒ Ambassador Claude Wild, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Council of Europe, deposited Switzerland's instrument of ratification on April 23, 2024, at the Palais du Rhin in Strasbourg, alongside ratification of the 2012 Strasbourg Convention on Limitation of Liability in Inland Navigation CLNI). 🍃 This significant step not only underscores Switzerland's commitment to environmental protection but also paves the way for enhanced air quality and sustainable navigation practices in the region. 💡 Click on the link below for the full article and press releases. #IVReu #inlandnavigation #CDNI #Switzerland #ratification

In this edition of our quarterly roundup, we explore supply chain disruptions, greenwashing claims, immigration policy changes, energy procurement and more. BLG lawyers share what you need to know about the latest regulations, policies and legal developments, as well as practical resources to keep you ahead of the changes currently impacting Canadian and international business. https://lnkd.in/gQHmijgJ

In this edition of our quarterly roundup, we explore supply chain disruptions, greenwashing claims, immigration policy changes, energy procurement and more. BLG lawyers share what you need to know about the latest regulations, policies and legal developments, as well as practical resources to keep you ahead of the changes currently impacting Canadian and international business. https://lnkd.in/embVDuEA