Federal Event: USAID Forestry Team, Thurs., 11/5

Federal Event: USAID Forestry Team--Perspectives on the Lacey Act Amendment

Thursday, November 5 from 9:30-11am at the USAID Information Center, Mezzanine, Ronald Reagan Building (Metro entrance side of the building; walk up one flight from street level)

What does this amendment to the Lacey Act mean for forest management in developing countries? How are the private sector and other actors responding and mobilizing? USAID’s Forestry Team will lead a discussion of this important law and the evolving strategies and systems being designed to address its implications.

A law known as the U.S. Lacey Act was amended under The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (a.k.a. "Farm Bill), last Spring. The Lacey Act is an old statute governing the trade of wildlife and endangered species within the USA and international commerce. Congress sought to amend the Act to encompass trade in illegal plants and their derivatives as a way of addressing illegal logging and associated trade.

The Lacey Act (16 U.S.C 3371 et seq.) as amended makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some limited exceptions, taken or traded in violation of the laws of the United States, a U.S. State or a foreign country. As of May 22, 2008, if a tree is illegally harvested, made into wood products, and then exported to the United States, or to a destination which will further manufacture the product and export the material to the United States, anyone involved in these transactions who knew or should have known that the wood was illegal, may be prosecuted for violation of the Lacey Act.

Some further information on the Act can be found at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/entry_summary/laws/food_energy/amended_lacey_act/guidance_lacey_act.xml
Seminars open to the public. No need to RSVP. Note: this event is likely to be packed so get there early for a seat!

Visit the seminar series Web site for PowerPoints and other resourceshttp://www.frameweb.org/usaidbfseminar.htm