The U.S. currently accounts for 40 percent of China's exports, reportedly a major factor in China's ability to withstand the worst shocks of the Asian economic slump. It is difficult to forecast the impact of increased phytosanitary regulations on the U.S. forest products industry. Both organizations strongly support the USDA's interim rule and are primarily committed to preventing additional introductions of ALB into North America. Some believe there could soon be regulations restricting SWPM shipments between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. If either of these two scenarios comes to pass, both the U.S. pallet industry and the U.S. hardwood lumber industry will be impacted directly.
Pallets consume a majority of the lower grade lumber produced.
If solid wood pallets become more expensive, shippers may reduce their pallet use or switch to other pallet types. Ultimately, somebody lumber producer, pallet producer, shipper, end-use customer will have to pay the costs associated with increased phytosanitary requirements. They didn't see much use for Forest Service Research in an eradication program. Now Dr. Shields believes the problem is much larger than eradicating ALB from New York and Chicago. She believes it will take a significant research effort first to fully understand the biology of the insect, and then to develop the detection and control technologies necessary to eventually eradicate ALB from the landscape.