[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11602]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            ILLEGAL LOGGING

  Mr. BURR. Mr. President, the extension of the Lacey Act within this 
legislation to cover imported timber and wood products sends a strong 
signal that the U.S. Congress is serious about supporting the 
President's Initiative Against Illegal Logging.
  The practice of illegal logging--both in the United States and 
abroad--is a deplorable act that poses environment threats as well as 
threats to legitimate businesses that operate within the rule of law.
  It is crucial, that as this legislation is implemented, a clear 
distinction be drawn between ``innocent'' owners in the supply chain 
who in good faith trade in wood products that they believe to be 
legally harvested abroad, and those who knowingly traffic in illegal 
material.
  It is the concern of Congress that this line be clearly drawn when 
prosecutions occur under this act.
  Therefore, I support the provision included in this act that places 
the burden of proof in civil forfeiture cases on the government, as 
provided by the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act.

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