June 24 – Yesterday a coalition of over 50 non-governmental

organizations and industry leaders representing both importers and

domestic producers submitted a consensus set of recommendations to the

Administration and Congress. The statement was prepared to assist the

Administration as it prepares its report to Congress on the Lacey Act

amendments, as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of

2008.

“This consensus is another critical step in the robust implementation of a

precedent setting law which for the first time holds international trade

responsible for dealing in illegal wood,” said Alexander von Bismarck,

Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency.

"This consensus will speed the protection of valuable forests around the

world," said Senator Ron Wyden, who authored the recent amendments to

the Lacey Act that successfully reduced trade in products using illegally

obtained timber. “The guidance they’ve given in this consensus statement

will make it easier for all the agencies involved to comply with the Act’s

provisions, which means valuable forests around the world will be

preserved that much more quickly. I look forwarding to working with the

Coalition and the Obama Administration to make the Lacey Act even more

effective in combating illegal logging.”

The Environmental Investigation Agency is

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