Bill > HR5508

This bill, the Fostering Overseas Rule of law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act of 2021 (FOREST Act of 2021), aims to combat illegal deforestation by prohibiting the importation of products made wholly or in part of certain commodities produced on land undergoing illegal deforestation. Key provisions of the bill include: 1. Prohibiting the importation of products made wholly or in part of covered commodities (e.g., palm oil, soybeans, cocoa, cattle, rubber, wood pulp) produced on illegally deforested land. 2. Requiring importers to file declarations stating they have exercised reasonable care to assess and mitigate the risks that any covered commodity used was produced from land subject to illegal deforestation. More detailed declarations are required for covered commodities from countries identified as lacking adequate and effective protection against illegal deforestation. 3. Authorizing the U.S. Trade Representative to identify such countries, develop action plans to improve their protection against illegal deforestation, and take action if the countries fail to substantially comply with the plans. 4. Establishing a fund to provide financial and technical assistance to foreign governments, civil society, and others working to combat illegal deforestation. 5. Designating illegal deforestation as a specified unlawful activity under money laundering laws. 6. Providing a procurement preference for federal agencies to purchase commodities not produced from land subject to deforestation. The bill aims to address the environmental and human rights impacts of illegal deforestation driven by agricultural commodity production, while also supporting foreign governments in improving their forest protection efforts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5508/all-info