Bush extends trade agreement

In December, President Bush signed a trade bill that included a six-month extension of the Andean Trade Preference Drug Eradication Act for Colombia , Peru , Ecuador and Bolivia .

Society of American Florists reports the extension, which began Jan. 1, 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 United States within these six months to receive an additional six months for the implementation phase.

Ecuador and Bolivia need to negotiate and sign a free trade agreement with the United States by the end of June so that flowers can continue to be free of trade duties.

If an agreement is not reached, Ecuadorian and Bolivian products will be assessed duties starting on July 1.

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For more: Society of American Florists, 1601 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (800) 336-4743; www.safnow.org.