International Wood Products Association: World of Wood 2001 Promotes Sustainability

Furniture World Magazine

The International Wood Products Association's 45th Annual Convention and 13th International Wood Products Exhibition, known as World of Wood, convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 14-16, 2001. Over 250 representatives from 17 countries participated in this largest gathering in North American of the imported wood products industry. In her opening remarks, Executive Vice President Wendy Baer stated, "Our industry plays an important role in the use of forests, and IWPA will continue to support and promote, as well as implement, programs to preserve and protect these global resources." With that in mind, the World of Wood 2001 convention program emphasized sustainable forest management, progress being made towards SFM in producing regions, the on-going challenges and opportunities for industry, along with market information demonstrating the continued strong market for imported wood products. Baer reaffirmed the Association's expanded efforts to gather information on sustainable forest management developments in the world. Such information is available for industry and their customers in a new content section on IWPA's Web Site. The section is titled, "Developments in Sustainable Forest Management and Certification Programs," and can be accessed at IWPA's web site at www.iwpawood.org/sfm.htm Convention keynote speaker, Dr. Ariel Lugo, Director, USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, addressed "Mahogany and its Lessons for Tropical Forestry in the New Millennium." Dr. Lugo outlined issues raised by the Big-Leaf Mahogany (swietenia macrophylla) controversy, specifically as it relates to international trade. "Logging of Big-Leaf Mahogany is not the cause of deforestation---agriculture is. All global trade of tropical timbers is 4 percent of all the volume of tropical timber cut. The United States imported 4 percent of tropical timber products traded in 1989 (or, 4 percent of 4 percent)." With regard to forestry practices in the new millennium, Lugo noted the importance of coupling science and management, "We are not running out of mahogany---there is enough of the species in plantations and secondary forests to satisfy demand." He concluded his remarks by stating that the industry must do an enhanced job marketing sustainable forest management. Delegates were again reminded of the importance for industry to promote the facts surrounding the rainforest controversy by Marc Morano, Reporter, American Investigator. Speaking from the media's perspective, Morano stated that, "Environmentalists and Hollywood celebrities are more in tune with the feel-good [more glamorous] cause than with the truth." Morano knows first-hand the power that celebrities and environmentalists have on the public's perception of the world's forest. He interviewed scientists, environmental groups and celebrity activists in a documentary, "Amazon Rainforests: Clearcutting the Myths," and was astounded when his findings revealed the myths [countered by scientists] that are told by celebrities and activists, further demonstrating that "Industry has a great story to tell" and must "keep 'hammering away' the facts." Ron Arnold, Author of Undue Influence, addressed "Global Wood Markets: Under Pressure." He commented on the "undue influence" that environmental extremists have on bureaucrats and government policies, and how it impacts the wood products industry. Arnold noted, "In addition to the visible pressure from environmental groups, such as Rainforest Action Network or Greenpeace, there exist invisible pressures from wealthy non-profit foundations that continue to fund the likes of RAN," and "The motivations for funding anti-wood campaigns appear to be purely ideological." The Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) was co-founded by the IWPA in 1990. TFF is now celebrating ten years of its work to support the achievement of sustainable forest management (SFM). Executive Director, Keister Evans, shared information with delegates about the SFM/RIL (Reduced Impact Logging) demonstration and training program that has been taking place in Brazil since 1994, recently developed programs in Indonesia and Guyana, and reported on development of SFM/RIL programs in Africa. "Without the support of IWPA, and from companies within the industry, scientific, government, academic and environmental communities, these accomplishments would not have been possible," remarked Evans. SFM is important to ensure forests [and wood products] for future generations. And, the markets for wood products, not just tropical woods, must remain strong. This was clearly the underlying message conveyed by Charles Widman in his address, "The Future of Softwood Imports in the United States." Widman reported on the continued strong market in the U.S. for softwood products. He informed that the traditional supplier to the U.S. for softwood lumber is Canada. However, commented Widman, "In 1996, the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement was struck to limit the volume of these imports that could enter the U.S. duty free. Little did signatories of the agreement realize that, rather than limiting softwood imports, the agreement would help to foster an exponential rise in imports from offshore suppliers." He noted in particular significant increases from Brazil, Chile and New Zealand. Another important player in any discussions of international trade or sustainable forest management is that of government. "The New Administration and the Outlook for International Trade," was the topic presented by Tim Stanceu, Attorney, Hogan & Hartson. Stanceu gave an overview of what to expect on trade policy from President George W. Bush's Administration related to guidelines on international trade agreements, which set environmental and labor standards for future trade pacts, and the possible consequences these policies could have on trade in imported wood products. Complementing the program's emphasis on sustainable forest management, the international forest products exhibition featured displays from U.S. Importers, Producers, Wholesalers, and Service Providers. Many exhibitors took the opportunity to inform colleagues on sustainable forest management policies in their country, products for export, and company policies related to SFM, as well as services they can provide to the imported wood products industry. The 46th IWPA Annual Convention will take place, April 17-19, 2002 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, California. The International Wood Products Association (formerly the International Hardwood Products Association) is the only group in the United States organized to represent the interests of companies active in the import of wood and wood products. Membership also includes companies with interests allied to the trade (manufacturers, sales representatives, steamship lines, customs brokers, port authorities and others) and overseas producers and exporters of wood products to the U.S., as well as the major organizations to which these producers belong. International Wood Products Association - 4214 King Street West - Alexandria, VA 22302 www.iwpawood.org info@iwpawood.org