AF&PA Applauded Decision to Veto AB 416

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) applauded California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto the Assembly Bill California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act (AB 416).

In a statement issued by Heidi Brock, President and CEO, AF&PA, the Association noted that the proposed bill would have adversely impacted housing costs and undermined the state’s efforts to increase the use of renewable and recyclable materials. The bill would have undermined the important role played by sustainable forest management towards advancing a vision of more sustainable future.

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The Governor’s veto message said that although he shares the author’s commitment to prevent tropical deforestation, the bill’s extensive requirements would create significant burden on California small businesses that look to participate in state contracts. Meantime, Newsom noted that future legislation that better targets the supply chains that directly impact tropical deforestation could be considered.

Earlier, AF&PA had urged the Governor to veto the bill, stating that it ignores the numerous benefits of sustainable, working forests to the environment and local communities. It had noted that the vast majority of wood used in paper and wood products manufacturing were sourced from sustainable forests, that too primarily from family-owned ones.