NEWS

After a two-year undercover investigation, the Environmental Investigation Agency has shown that a "Burmese teak kingpin" conspired with and bribed senior military and government officials throughout Myanmar. He created a corrupt system of fraudulent trade that ran inside and outside the Myanmar Timber Enterprise, a state-owned company that has a monopoly on the country's logging and timber trade.

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U.S. imports of hardwood plywood from Vietnam and Indonesia increased as imports from China fell by 50,000 to 100,000 cubic meters per month. Vietnam's export volume rose by 25,000 cubic meters per month but their prices into the U.S. dropped below the world average for the first time.

There are now 867 direct foreign investment companies operating in the wood industry in Vietnam, with total capital of $5.5 billion. 63% are funded by investors from China, South Korea, and Japan.

Decorative Hardwoods Association® (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XII, Issue IV: President Trump Prefers American Wood | Political Debate Continues Over Formaldehyde Regulation | Six Trendsetting Kitchens & Baths | Latest Kitchen, Bath Designs Feature Wood | NEW DATES: Decorative Hardwoods Association Annual Meeting Will Be Held May 5 - 8

President Trump Prefers American Wood - http://eepurl.com/gh7ZRv

The bipartisan agreement on government funding, recently passed to avoid another partial government shutdown, includes official recognition of the carbon neutrality of wood biomass.

An upcoming report by Congress’ Government Accountability Office notes that EPA leadership has cut several chemical assessments previously considered a priority. Formaldehyde was one of those chemicals, suggesting that EPA leadership believes that the relationship between formaldehyde and leukemia is weak. The decision on priorities was made by political appointees with alleged strong ties to the chemical industry. House hearings are expected.