The hardwood industry was well-represented during the Hardwood Federation’s annual Washington Fly-in, September 22 – 23.  Twenty-four industry representatives and Hardwood Federation staff met with Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as with Administration officials to provide updates on the state of the industry and to lay out industry priorities. Read the rest of our press release about the event here .

House Resolution 81 was voted on September 15, and it passed with no dissenting votes heard.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released today an update to the declaration requirements of the Lacey Act, which became effective on December 15, 2008.  The purpose of notice is to announce revisions to the phase in enforcement of the declaration requirement. 

May 14th saw a huge victory for the U.S. hardwood industry as our efforts to amend the "Green Schools" bill to include hardwoods were successful.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed our hardwood amendment by a vote of 425 to 7 and final House passage for “Green Schools” bill, H.R. 2187, with a recorded vote of 275 to 155 (largely along party lines). The bill specifically recognizes the environmental attributes of hardwoods.  Members voting against the amendment were Reps. Campbell (R-CA), Flake (R-AZ), King (R-IA), Petri (R-WI), Royce (R-CA), Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Shadegg (R-AZ).

Click here for a video of Congressman Ellsworth's speech on the environmental credentials of U.S. hardwoods.