WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has echoed a coalition of more than 50 non-governmental organizations and industry leaders representing both importers and domestic producers in supporting a consensus set of recommendations for the Lacey Act.
The statement of recommendations was prepared to assist the Obama Administration as it prepares its report to Congress on the Lacey Act amendments, as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The Lacey Act was amended to include imported wood and wood products in an effort to stem the flow of illegally logged woods into the United States.
“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.
The coalition's position was articulated by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who sponsored the historic Lacey Act amendment that look effect last spring.
"This consensus will speed the protection of valuable forests around the world," Wyden said. "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.”
Read the Environmental Investigation Agency's press release.
View EIA's video about the Lacey Act's role to help combat illegal logging.
The statement of recommendations was prepared to assist the Obama Administration as it prepares its report to Congress on the Lacey Act amendments, as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The Lacey Act was amended to include imported wood and wood products in an effort to stem the flow of illegally logged woods into the United States.
“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.
The coalition's position was articulated by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who sponsored the historic Lacey Act amendment that look effect last spring.
"This consensus will speed the protection of valuable forests around the world," Wyden said. "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.”
Read the Environmental Investigation Agency's press release.
View EIA's video about the Lacey Act's role to help combat illegal logging.
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