Wool Pack Tariff Did Not Clear Senate

The suspension of tariffs on imported nylon wool packs did not clear the Senate before the last session of the 111th Congress came to an end.

The legislation would have suspended tariffs on imported nylon wool packs that producers use to transport wool from the farm or ranch to the wool mill.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) has supported the suspension since nylon wool packs are not manufactured in the United States and must be imported.

All legislation not completed before the conclusion of the 111th Congress will have to start over from the beginning in the next Congress in 2011.

"A number of industries were seeking similar suspensions and were met with the same result as wool with approval in the U.S. House but not included in the Senate," commented Peter Orwick, ASI executive director. "The earmark ban that House republicans adopted also includes bans on reducing tariffs, so it may take more of an effort to get tariff suspensions through in the next year."