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| An overview of SCB's Policy Approval Process is available here.
After reviewing the policy page and resources, one of the most effective ways you can bring science to policymakers is to establish relationships with your government officials wherever you are.
In the U.S., for example, citizens can get to know their Senators, Members of Congress and agency officials working on issues they care about most. Under "Policy Tools and Guidelines for SCB Members" on the navigation bar to the left, we have web sites for offices and research reports to help guide you through the international and U.S. federal policy ecosystems. U.S. SCB members may also want to call the Capitol Operator at 202-225-3121, and ask to be connected to the offices of your House Members and Senators and Committees of interest. |
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Biological Security: Controlling the importation of invasive species and
illegally harvested plants and animals. |
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One of the major successes for improving our bio-security in 2008 was Congress's adding plants to the Lacey Act's prohibition on the importation and trade in illegally harvested wildlife. The European Union is in the fall of 2008 considering similar requirements that address only their wood importers but do require them to have systems to ensure that imported wood was harvested legally.
The International Conservation Caucus in Congress in 2007 made improving control over illegal logging and trade in its products one of its priorities and that means following though to ensure that the new law is fully funded and implemented.
The term "bio-security" recognizes that combining inspection and certification improvements to control trade in illegally harvested wood and the transport of invasive species will enhance the efficiency of both efforts. |
Biological Security News
- Controlling the Importation of Illegally Harvested Plants and Wood Products
Listed below is the Senate bill introduced by Senator Wyden and supporting documents from civil society and industry.
SCB Members may want to review the materials below in order to learn how the final legislation came about and to consider what they and their sections would like to do about helping to implement the new law. We note that the Minnesotta Chapter played a leading role among SCB groups in helping to keep the Lacey amendment in the Farm Bill that was enacted in 2008.
- On March 12, 2007, Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Robert Wexler (D-FL), and Jerry Weller (R-IL) intorduced "The Legal Timber Protection Act, H.R. 1497." "It has gained several additional co-sponsors, been endorsed by major environmental organizations, and is being studied closely by timber industry federations in dialogue with the bill’s supporters." -- from an article by the Forest Stewardship Council.
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Issues:
What new environmental elements will be included in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and “Fast Track” Legislation (requiring up or down votes on FTAs without amendments)?
How can we effectively halt the importation of illegally harvested plants?
How can we help recently reorganized agencies and customs agents play a stronger role in controlling invasive species? |
Resources and Institutions
Forest Stewardship Council
Environmental Investigation Agency
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