WASHINGTON -- The delay of a European Union rule that would ban wood packing material with tree bark still attached will give nations more time to study its scientific validity, a U.S. Commerce Department official said.

The EU issued its debarking rule last month, but has delayed implementation until Jan. 1, 2009.

The EU created the rule as an extension of the International Standard Phytosanitary Measure 15, which calls for all wood packing material to be heat-treated or fumigated to kill wood-destructive pests.

Several governments objected to the rule, including the U.S. and Canada, claiming the unilateral EU decision could affect some $80 billion in U.S. exports to Europe.

Brian Woodward, international trade specialist with the International Trade Administration, said that countries may amend ISPM-15 if there is scientific evidence to support more stringent measures. The EU agreed to present scientific data in support of its claim.

The EU's delay does not affect ISPM-15 itself, which is already in effect for wood packing materials in international trade.

By R.G. Edmonson