Destruction Of Rainforests Costing US Producers
US - A groundbreaking new report from The National Farmers Union and Avoided Deforestation Partners will detail how illegal and unsustainable overseas agriculture and logging operations are rapidly cutting down the world's rainforests for cheap land and timber.
26 May 2010
1 minute read
This deforestation is allowing them to flood the market with cheap beef, timber, soybeans, and vegetable oils, driving down commodity prices and costing American farmers, ranchers and timber producers hundreds of billions of dollars.
The findings of the report will be discussed at a meeting to be held this afternoon (26th May).
The study's authors will discuss the findings in detail, including a state-by-state and multi-industry (soy, beef, timber and oilseed) breakdown of American agricultural revenue currently lost due to tropical deforestation. Speaker comments will be followed by reporter Q&A.
The report comes on the heels of the introduction of comprehensive energy and climate legislation in the US Senate. The new legislation, known as the American Power Act, includes important provisions aimed at protecting tropical forests. Speakers are available to discuss these provisions' potential for US agriculture and timber, and how they can be improved.
"Saving rainforests isn't just for treehuggers any more," said Fred Yoder of the Ohio Corn Growers Association.
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