17 



Mr. Rains. There is no doubt we cannot produce a risk-free issue 

 here. What we are trying to say is, due to the risk assessments we 

 are trying to identify the most probable treatment that will be the 

 best treatment and also to provide a balance between protection 

 and import capabilities. 



Mr. DeFazio. Okay. But what is the big problem with heat treat- 

 ment at the other end? Just tell me what it is. 



Mr. Rains. There is not a big problem with heat treatment at the 

 other end. 



Mr. DeFazio. What is the little problem, then? What is the prob- 

 lem with heat treating at the other end and reducing the risk fur- 

 ther? 



Mr. Rains. If it is not needed, it is not needed. 



Mr. DeFazio. But we cannot say it is not needed. We are saying 

 given the risk assessments, given the probabilities, given what we 

 know, it is probably not needed. 



But I am saying you are a citizen of the United States of Amer- 

 ica. You are charged with protecting the resources of the United 

 States of America and to optimally protect them like Chile does in 

 prohibiting log imports. I am not going so far as to say prohibit 

 them, which would be zero risk, but let us go one step back and 

 say how about the optimal treatment on the other end. Who are 

 we disadvantaging? What is the problem here? What is the prob- 

 lem? 



You cannot tell me there is no risk. What would be the problem 

 of heat treatment on the other end? What are the costs per thou- 

 sand to heat treat? Because we will have to heat treat on this end. 

 What will be the difference in the fmal price of the product from 

 heat treatment on this end after the log has been here 60 days to 

 heat treatment on that end before the log left the country? Do we 

 get a big value added or jobs out of heat treating on this end; is 

 that why we are protecting our heat treatment industry? What is 

 the deal? 



Ms. LORIMER. We are trying to make this a science-based project, 

 Mr. DeFazio. 



Mr. DeFazio. But, please, if we have to heat treat at some point, 

 why do we not require it on the other side of the ocean? Why not? 



Ms. LORIMER. Because APHIS decided based on the risk it is not 

 necessary. 



Mr. DeFazio. Why is it necessary on this end, then? Why is it 

 necessary to heat treat on this end if there is no risk? 



Mr. Lee. Mr. DeFazio, there were a number of comments making 

 the same point that you are making and they are being considered. 



Mr. DeFazio. Well, a voice of sanity. That is great. I hope you 

 consider them and weigh them heavily because it does not make 

 sense to me. 



Mr. Rose. Will the gentleman yield? 



Mr. DeFazio. Certainly. 



Mr. Rose. Because I want that to appear in the record twice. 

 What did he say? What did you say? Would you just say that again, 

 Mr. Lee. 



Mr. Lee. I said that we received a number of comments during 

 the comment period, to the proposal, that made the point that Mr. 

 DeFazio was making. 



