[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H3365-H3366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE FOREST PRODUCTS FAIRNESS ACT OF 2012

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the USDA Biobased Markets 
program was created to provide new markets for farm commodities and to 
encourage consumers to purchase environmentally friendly biobased 
products. Unfortunately, under the current law, most forest products 
are excluded from both the Federal procurement preference and the 
market label of the USDA Biobased Markets program. For instance, bamboo 
plywood is already eligible for the BioPreferred label and is used as a 
``green'' alternative for hardwood flooring or lumber.
  The Forest Products Fairness Act of 2012 modifies the definition of 
``biobased product'' to clarify that forest products should be included 
in the Biobased Markets program if they

[[Page H3366]]

meet the minimum biobased content requirements. The Forest Products 
Fairness Act of 2012 will enable U.S. producers to build back a 
competitive advantage through stronger, expanded product markets and 
new economic opportunities so that the industry can better compete in 
the global marketplace.
  Including U.S.-made forest products as part of the USDA's 
BioPreferred program is a win-win for consumers and producers. It will 
promote healthy, well-managed forests and the protection of communities 
that rely on these jobs and industries to survive.

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