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2. Prevent unnecessary delays and barriers to entry of imported forest products needed 

 by U.S. manufacturers and consumers; 



3. Minimize the administrative and compliance costs, for both APHIS and prospective 

 importers, of implementing and adhering to essential phyto-sanitary requirements; and 



4. Maintain a phyto-sanitary regulatory climate that encourages reciprocal trade in 

 forest products between the U.S. and its trading partners, and is consistent with overall 

 trade policy objectives, whether established under bilateral trade agreements or under 

 the GATT process. 



Consistent with the above objectives, our primary concerns and input regarding the 

 APHIS Proposed Rule on log imports are detailed below: 



1. APHIS Has Done a Good Job in Developing and Proposing Effective Regulations to 

 Protect Domestic Forests from Exotic Pests and Diseases. 



The forest products industry shares the concerns of APHIS regarding the risks of 

 introducing exotic plant pests and diseases that may be associated with the importation of 

 unprocessed logs or other wood products. Considerable scientific and empirical evidence is 

 available documenting the destructive potential of non-native pests such as Dutch Elm 

 disease, Chestnut Blight, and the Gypsy Moth; to name a few. International trade laws 



