Such changes affect virtually everyone, whether you are involved in import/export, a tourist or a hobby grower. There are sections from 'Personal and household effects' (§ 23.5 and § 23.15) to 'Caviar labeling' (§ 23.71). What if there was a section that better directs us and the agents when dealing with orchids?
I'm not a commercial importer. However I'm wondering if there is a provison for public comment or can and should we have input to the process that leads to revisons to the regulations? As we returned from Taiwan this past March, I experienced a rude awakening to the bureaucracy with regard to CITES. I had made every effort to comply providing all of the requisite documentation. My thought at the time was aren't these agents public servants? At any port of entry, shouldn't the agents be equally well versed with the regulations with regards to orchids? There was such an immense difference in how the agents reacted to orchids when compared to my previous experiences at other ports of entry. Rather than protect the orchids, the actions of the agents and others ultimately destroyed the orchids. It did not have to end that way! So I wondered who writes and proposes the regulations? Can an importer/exporter or for that matter any US citizen petition for changes to the regulations? Having encountered difficulties, I'm not content in letting off some steam but essentially leaving the status quo. By not taking action, don't I contribute to the problem? Somehow the intent of the intent of CITES is being trumped by the 'enforcement' of it. What can we (you and I, separately or together) do? Lee Please respond here or by email lee at classicorchid com
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