A bill that would prohibit importing timber and wood products that are illegally harvested passed a congressional committee Wednesday.
The U.S. timber industry has complained about unfair competition posed by harvesters in other countries that don't abide by international environmental laws.
To address that, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., proposed the Legal Timber Protection Act, which the House Natural Resources Committee passed unanimously. The bill amends the Lacey Act, which prohibits trade in illegal fish and wildlife. It also would require importers to use country-of-origin labels on the products.
The American Forest and Paper Association says U.S. companies lose about $1 billion annually because of illegal timber. Blumenauer's office estimates that Oregon companies produce 13 percent of the nation's lumber and lose between $130 million and $150 million because of illegal timber.
"We can cut down this trade dramatically, virtually overnight, if people practice good business techniques," Blumenauer said.
The bill has gained momentum because of the support from a large coalition of U.S. business, labor and environmental interest groups, including the American Forest and Paper Association, Sierra Club and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Blumenauer worked for a year to build the coalition and come to a consensus.
"You've got unions, environmentalists, the leaders of the industry all joining hands," Blumenauer said. "I think this type of cooperative effort might well form the foundation for other steps that require trust."
Some critics say the bill would unfairly punish U.S. importers who innocently believe that the products they are bringing into the United States have been harvested legally.
"This bill could have a chilling effect on many U.S. importers, and American consumers will pay the cost," Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., said at Wednesday's committee meeting.
Under the bill, according to Blumenauer's office, criminal and civil penalties are triggered only for those "who knowingly violate the law or don't take 'due care' to ensure they comply with the law."
"This is what the responsible elements of the industry are doing now," Blumenauer said. "Some people add value to their product because they advertise the fact that you know what you're getting when you purchase it."
Those who accidentally violate the bill's documentation requirements receive a $250 fine.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Because the bill has 22 co-sponsors, Wyden is optimistic. He has introduced it as an amendment to the farm bill moving through the Senate.
"What we've been able to do with 22 senators is show that this problem is out of hand," Wyden said in an interview Tuesday.
Jeff Kosseff: 503-294-7605; jeff.kosseff@newhouse.comThe Oregonian
