Bill to Amend Lacey Act Withdrawn in Senate

A bill that would have removed criminal penalties and all references to foreign law from the Lacey Act has been withdrawn from consideration in the Senate, according to the Hardwood Federation.

The bill-dubbed the Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2012 (FOCUS Act) and introduced by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.-was intended to be included as an amendment to the 2012 farm bill, which is currently being debated in the Senate. According to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, every five years, Congress passes a bundle of legislation called the "farm bill" that sets national policy on agriculture, nutrition, conservation and forestry policy. Last week, the Hardwood Federation urged supporters help oppose the bill by calling on lawmakers.

Different legislation to amend the Lacey Act in the House is still under consideration; it was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources earlier this month.