In U.S., approval of timber import bill is looking likely

Environmentalists are hailing a bill moving through the U.S. Congress that would impose the strongest controls enacted by any country on international trade in illegal timber, including coveted mahogany from Honduras and Peru. A product of discussions between the non-governmental Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and U.S. timber and paper industry associations, the bill seems almost certain to pass in the coming months. It enjoys the support of the Bush administration and sailed through the Senate on Dec. 14 by a 79-14 vote as an amendment to the farm bill (H.R. 2419). The measure now awaits a floor vote in the House of Representatives, where it was approved by the Natural Resources Committee on Nov. 7 and has bi-partisan backing. “It now seems primarily... [Log in to read more]

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