American Firewood Producers and Distributors Association WERC Profitable Firewood Workshop April 17 th, 2014 Geoff Friedman Lost Coast
AGENDA The work upon which this slideshow is based was funded in whole or in part through a grant awarded by the Wood Education and Resource Center, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
AGENDA AFPDA Overview Membership Info Certification Program Certification Standards Questions/Comments
AFPDA OVERVIEW Developed to create a national standard and certification program for the production and manufacturing of firewood Wood-borne pests and mold concerns have been steadily increasing Pests could be found far from their origin aboard firewood bundles that are shipped to distribution centers and retailers Federal government and many states have instituted a series of quarantines that restrict the movement of firewood AFPDA has developed a Firewood Certification Program that helps manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers easily identify the origin of a bundle of firewood Identify how firewood was treated to eradicate any pests or molds that may have existed in the wood Retailers, consumers and government agencies can be confident that wood carrying the AFPDA Certification Badge is free of woodborne pests
MEMBERSHIP INFO Firewood Manufacturers Firewood Producers Firewood Distributors Retailers Logistics Companies Firewood Processing Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers of other Consumer Related Firewood Products Government Agencies Other Individuals and Organizations with a Related Interest The benefits of membership include being part of a unified voice that sets the standard for the production and management of firewood in the United States. The AFPDA helps its members navigate increasingly complex, restrictive and conflicting regulations.
DEMAND FOR A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM The American Firewood Producers and Distributors Association exists for the health and safety of our forests and for the protection of consumers of firewood. The association was created as a result of the concern by industry leaders regarding a variety environmental conditions such as: Invasive forest pests have been spread long distances, assisted by humans, through the movement of plants and wood not known to be infested Over the past 10-15 years, exotic insects like Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer and hemlock wooly adelgid have killed many millions of trees Provide guidance in manufacturing and distribution of firewood Costs to Federal, State and local budgets have exceeded $100 s of millions for eradication efforts, tree removals and disposal Many molds and invasive tree/forest pests are difficult or impossible to detect early enough in their infestation to be able to eliminate or control their spread
CERTIFICATION STANDARDS Gold Certification Heat treated to: 160 F for 75 minutes and <15% moisture content (Certifies mold and mildew free) Silver Certification Heat treated to: 140 F for 60 minutes Bronze Certification Heat treated to: 133 F for 30 minutes Otherwise known as: International Standards for Phytosanitary Measure No. 15 (ISPM 15)
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?