Their inclusion in this list is not only unnecessary, it is entirely detrimental to the development of the numerous agriculture-based products that deserve an expanded market share. Perhaps more disconcerting, as it stands now, biobased products are so broadly defined that they can contain virgin, clearcut, non-renewable materials from ancient forests. Only 12 percent of the world's original forests remain as relatively healthy, intact ecosystems. In the United States, outside of Alaska, only five percent of our original forests are still in their natural condition. Furthermore, as a developed nation, the United States consumes a disproportionately high number of the world's trees.
Agricultural residues are an excellent alternative to virgin wood fiber for many reasons.
There are approximately 350 million tons of agricultural residues produced annually in North America. Aside from their abundance and renewability, using agricultural residues will benefit farmers, industry and human health and the environment. If the biobased products list were to prioritize agricultural products, it could help to ameliorate the well-known economic plight of America's family farmers. Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for your consideration.