Executive Director
International Wood Products Association
www.iwpawood.org
Readers of Import/Export Wood Purchasing News know that IWPA has been hard at work for almost two years now partnering with key members of Congress to address port entry delays associated with Lacey Act enforcement. Back in April, I highlighted the introduction of landmark legislation in both the House and Senate pushing for transparency and accountability for federal agencies that process wood products shipments at our nation’s ports of entry in order to better balance the needs of enforcement and business.
Now, four short months later, I am happy to update readers about additional progress we have made. Since April, language has been included in the Farm Bill that was approved by the House Agriculture Committee and funding bills approved by both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees calling on the relevant federal agencies to work together to address Lacey Act port entry delays.
To push this important legislative language through Congress and to the President’s desk to be signed into law, we are inviting as many industry leaders as possible to join us this fall in Washington, D.C. for IWPA’s Fall Fly-In. This year’s Fly-In, which will be held from September 24-26, will include a full day on Capitol Hill meeting with Members of Congress, Senators, and staff to highlight how port entry delays cost businesses time and money that could otherwise be used to expand companies and support even more quality jobs in the communities our industry serves.
In addition to amplifying our push for fairness and accountability in Lacey Act enforcement, attendees will have an opportunity to push for retroactive renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program in order to get the duties paid for the last three and a half years back into the pockets of the U.S. companies that paid them. This is an incredibly pivotal time for GSP renewal, as with every additional year the program lapses, the harder it will be to renew, particularly with a retroactive aspect. We continue to work closely with many American associations and industries who utilize this valuable program.
We will make sure each participant is armed with the information and know how they need to be an effective advocate for our industry. We send out our Hill one pagers well in advance and also hold an annual pre-Fly-In advocacy webinar to educate participants on the topics we will discuss as well as mock Capitol Hill meetings so folks will know exactly what to expect.
One of my priorities since joining IWPA almost two years ago has been an aggressive expansion of IWPA’s advocacy work to better serve and support our industry. Our team’s work with allies on Capitol Hill to have port entry accountability language passed out of committee has been a huge step forward. Now we are working to mobilize the industry to get it across the finish line.
Visit www.iwpawood.org for more information.
