On behalf of NAMM, Steve McCreary of Collings Guitars provides update on impact and unintended consequences of 2008 Amendment to Lacey Act.

May 16, The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Ocean and Insular Affairs of the US House of Representatives heard testimony today at its oversight hearing on, “the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments”. The Subcommittee sought information on how the Amendments have stopped the importation of illegally obtained plant and plant products, whether the amount of illegal wood entering international trade has increased or decreased during the past five years, what has been the impact of the filing of thousands of declaration documents with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, how many of these documents have resulted in the prosecution or seizure of illegally harvested wood or wood products, whether there are alternative ways to obtain this information in a more cost effective manner and what modifications should the Congress consider to this lay. Other organizations testifying at the hearing include representatives from US regulators (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Fish and Wildlife Service), International Wood Products Association, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and the Hardwood Federation. The text of Mr. McCreary’s testimony can be downloaded here.   A summary of requested changes are outlined here.  A list of Representatives on the Subcommittee is provided; NAMM Members can contact Representatives via their websites and provide information concerning business impact of the Lacey Act Amendments.

Released May 10, 2013: Congressional Research Service report “The Lacey Act: Compliance Issues Related to Importing Plants and Plant Products”. Download to review.

Photos from Steve McCreary's appearance on House Oversight Hearing On Lacey Act