Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Companies wary as U.S. shapes illegal logging rules A new U.S. law aimed at stopping illegal logging that generates billions of dollars and threatens the world's forests is causing concern among companies on the front line of implementing the legislation. "The intent was good, but I think it lacked many practical features that something of this magnitude ought to have," said Jon Kent, a lobbyist for the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, during a discussion at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The new law, which will be phased in over two years, requires companies to declare the country of origin as well as the genus and species of any wood or other plant material they import, with exceptions for common food crops and cultivars like corn, cotton or cut flowers. Companies that trade in illegally sourced wood or file false import declarations would have their goods confiscated and could face criminal penalties as well....

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