Ricketts Introduces the Strengthen Wood Products Supply Chain Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Strengthen WoodProducts Supply Chain Act. Mismanagement of federal agencies during the Biden administration caused delays and increased costs in the wood supply chain under the Lacey Act. The legislation would cut down red tape by allowing American businesses to be informed on Lacey Act violations. This would enable businessowners to resolve the issues in a timely fashion.

"Too often, bureaucratic mismanagement has created delays in the processing of imports, increasing costs," said Senator Ricketts. "My Strengthen Wood Products Supply Chain Act would streamline this process and prevent American businesses from paying the price. I'm committed to cutting unnecessary red tape that drives up the cost of doing business."

Bill text can be found here.

BACKGROUND:

The Lacey Act was created to prohibit the importation of plants and products. This was expanded in 2008 to contain wood products. All products are checked at the port of entry in the United States and if applicable through the Lacey Act compliance. Typically, most wood products come into the United States without any problems. If there are any issues, the port officer will stop the shipment and work with the importer to determine the next steps. During the tenure of the Biden administration, ports became increasingly less willing to work with the importer when a shipment is questioned.

The process has become increasingly complicated primarily because three coordinating federal agencies claim authority. The three agencies are the Fish and Wildlife Service, Customs and Border Patrol, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This has led to unclear procedures, a lack of communication across multiple agencies, and general bureaucracy. Ultimately the businesses and consumers are paying by a result in an uptick of wood importation delays, lengthy storage costs, lost product, and ripple effect of increased wood costs during the Biden Administration. Multiple small American businesses have had a shipment flagged at the port for an alleged Lacey Act violation, but agencies won't share the nature of the violation in a timely fashion or even at all. On multiple occasions, businesses have waited months or even years fruitlessly trying to discover the nature of the violation. They are bounced back and forth between CBP and FWS but are never given the any clarity on questions or ability to dispute their case.