Today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced the reintroduction of the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act. This legislation will require importers of agricultural products to know their supply chains and ensure their products do not contribute to illegal deforestation and associated abuses. If passed into law, this bill will help stop one of the largest contributors to global forest loss, bolster responsible businesses, and remove the destruction of global forests and critical ecosystems from the products that Americans consume every day.
In response, WWF issued the following statement from Kerry Cesareo, senior vice president for forests:
"As a major importer of the agricultural products driving deforestation and habitat loss worldwide, the United States needs to lead the way in protecting and conserving the world's remaining forests, supporting other countries' efforts to halt illegal deforestation, and leveling the playing field for law-abiding producers. The FOREST Act aims to do just that by ensuring that the agricultural products that reach our shores don't fuel the illegal clearing of forests around the world.
"Forests, such as the Amazon, are home to most of the Earth's life on land and are some of our most iconic wild places. They support the livelihoods of billions of people around the globe, including Indigenous peoples and local communities. Healthy forests are also essential to the air we breathe and the water we drink and are critical for absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Stopping the illegal destruction of forest ecosystems is essential to the health and safety of people, wildlife and our planet. This landmark legislation is a step in the right direction, and we welcome its reintroduction."
