Lacey Act filing tool to arrive in late 2013

From ANLA Knowledge Center:

USDA-APHIS recently announced a late 2013 launch of a new electronic Lacey Act Plant and Plant Product Declaration (PPQ Form 505) submission tool. This online tool called the Lacey Act Web Governance System (LAWGS) will allow filers to submit Lacey Act Declarations electronically without needing to mail in a paper declaration.

The LAWGS tool is intended to assist importers who are currently filing Lacey Act paper declarations. Although this tool does not replace the Automated Broker Interface, a process used by a majority of importers, it will provide an alternative method for filing declarations allowing APHIS to be more responsive to importers’ needs.

The electronic aspect provides a number of benefits. LAWGS will allow filers to save commonly used declaration data in templates for quick and easy future submissions. In addition, an information technology infrastructure will assist the agency in evaluating and monitoring the declarations more efficiently for agreement with the Act.

The Lacey Act is a conservation law that protects both wildlife and plants by legislating civil and criminal penalties for a variety of violations. It bans trade of certain wildlife, fish, and plants that have been unlawfully taken, transported, or sold. If you are interested in attending an APHIS hosted webinar you can send an email request to lacey.act.declaration@aphis.usda.gov and include “LAWGSwebinar” in the subject line. They ask that you include the following information in the body of your email:

• The name of the organization you represent.
• The type of organization you represent (law group, retailer, manufacturer, government, etc.).
• The number (or names?) of people which would like to participate.
• Any dates or times best suited for the most people to participate.
• Whether you or your organization would be interested in additional Lacey Act instruction beyond the LAWGS Introduction.