Congress proposes relaxed phase-in of Lacey Act

   The letter also called on the executive branch to establish a Web-based database containing:

   The genus, species and common trade names for plants.

   A continuously updated compilation of foreign laws related to harvesting, transporting and selling plants.

   A reference of available tools for tracking wood and assessing and addressing risk of illegal sourcing within a wood supply chain.

   The intent of the Web site is to help companies comply with the law but would not replace their need to exercise proper care to avoid violating the law.

   Forty-eight trade associations and environmental groups issued a statement strongly supporting the implementation principles spelled out by the lawmakers.

   A representative for an environmental group said at a public meeting hosted by USDA that he was encouraged by the common ground between the environmental community and industry to implement the wood protection law in a meaningful way.

   Cathy Sauceda, director of import safety and interagency requirements at CBP, said during the information session that the tentative April 1 enforcement deadline proposed by the agencies could be pushed back depending on the status of the electronic system being developed.

   USDA will publish a final rulemaking before April 1 once the implementation strategy has been finalized in consultation with Congress and an interagency working group.