2024 Expo, EUDR & Politics
First and foremost, a huge shoutout goes to everyone who made the 2024 GLTPA Logging EXPO a success in Green Bay this year. The GLTPA staff, volunteers, board members, sponsors, exhibitors, attendees, and the EXPO committee put together a first-class show this year! Thank you for all you do to make this a one-of-a-kind event for everyone to enjoy.
At the EXPO, I had the privilege of engaging in numerous insightful conversations about the state of the timber industry and political positioning. Unlike previous articles that focused on a single topic, this article aims to provide valuable updates on the industry's current events, reflecting the depth and breadth of our discussions.
First, compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will be enforced beginning 12/30/24. There was a lot of hope that the European Union (EU) would back off the demands that require coordinates for the source of wood sold into the EU, but that is not the case. The EU fully intends to move forward with its demands regardless of the flaws in the regulation system it laid out for wood sourced from our country, which has been proven through studies to be a most sustainable wood basket in the world.
The cost of compliance for the timber industry, from the stump to finished products, will undoubtedly create more expenses for all of us. The cost incurred includes the time and staff needed to comply through the investment in technology required to satisfy the EU demands for information that proves sustainable practices, which incidentally includes restrictions for site conversion for agricultural lands.
Within the past two weeks, our paper industry has been sending notices of information they must provide to comply with this unnecessary regulation. Additionally, the hardwood lumber industry is having its information-gathering meeting in the coming week regarding its compliance procedures. I will have more information to share with you in November’s article.
Unfortunately, EUDR compliance comes as everyone in the timber industry tries to compete with competitive products that contain unsustainable resources. The paper industry competes with electronics, and the lumber industry competes with chemical-laden alternative products, to name a few. These are combined with imports sourced from lower-cost labor and subsidized businesses worldwide. Stay tuned next month for an update on EUDR.
Of course, the presidential election was a topic of conversation at the EXPO. However, I am focusing on congressional and state elections to align with the policies that affect our industry. Even if you are tired of political rhetoric in advertisements that have inundated our media, dig into the voting record and the candidates' stances that affect our ideals and livelihood. The candidates in these political races do the dirty work regarding policy.
Finally, every Wednesday, before the start of the Logging Expo, we hold the Earl St. John Education Fund golf outing. This year, 152 golfers raised funds for educational assistance so kids can attend our industry's educational events. Within the past year, these funds provided transportation and helped with the cost of over 40 school buses for kids to attend Trees for Tomorrow, including four buses from inner-city schools. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors, and golfers for participating in this event. Lastly, thank you to the committee for planning and organizing an essential event to educate the public regarding the timber industry.
Troy Brown,
GLTPA President