IWPA exec criticizes new illegal logging bill.

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The head of the International Wood Products Assn. gave a thumbs-down to new legislation aimed at curbing illegal togging.

Brent McClendon, executive vice president of the IWPA, issued a statement critical of the "Combat Illegal Logging Act of 2007" introduced Aug. 1 in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill, which amends the U.S. Lacey Act, would prohibit the import, sale or trade of illegally logged wood and wood products in the United States. The bill has the support of several wood and forestry groups, including the American Forest & Paper Assn. and the Hardwood Federation.

While McClendon said his 220-member group "applauds all initiatives that can help eliminate illegal logging overseas," he added that Wyden's bill places too much burden on business to eliminate illegal tog trade, instead of keeping the onus on foreign governments to address the problems within their borders.

"Senator Wyden's legislation holds U.S. businesses and their customers personally responsible and subjects them to civil and criminal punishment for any illegal activity that occurs overseas in forests, sawmills, in transportation and through foreign ports thousands of mites away from their U.S. businesses," McClendon said. "All of this burden would come without any way for legal importers to protect themselves from this extended liability."

McClendon said, "The unfortunate reality is that the greatest threat to the world's forests is the wide-scale conversion of forested land for soybeans, ethanol and other agriculture and ranching pursuits. Creating new laws that make U.S. family businesses responsible for law enforcement in foreign countries, white at the same time not giving these companies any way to protect themselves against U.S. government prosecution, does nothing to stop this forest destruction.

"Importers embrace a wide range of methods, including certification and independent verification to confirm that the material they purchase comes from a legal source," he added. "Yet it is ultimately up to the governments in countries of export to determine legality. Developing countries, where most of the world's great forests are located, need financial aid and technical assistance to further their enforcement and prosecution efforts. The 'Combat Illegal Logging Act of 2007' does not provide any such assistance and instead deputizes U.S. companies to enforce foreign laws."