Canadian Softwood Lumber Agreement Signed

October 13, 2006

In the early morning hours today, The Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports reported that the amendment to the Canadian Lumber agreement settlement has been signed and is now in effect. The Commerce Department has revoked the 10.8% countervailing and antidumping duties, and the Canadian government has imposed the 15% export tax. 

Canada's Minister of International Trade, David Emerson, announced late last week that Canada planned to implement the Softwood Lumber Agreement on October 12th.  Canada had postponed the planned October 1st implementation of the agreement mainly because not all Canadian companies had withdrawn lawsuits filed against the U.S. in the lumber case. 

Throughout this process, the Forest Landowners Association has been the only national forest landowner group to actively support the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports and their goals.

Submitted by Frank Stewart, the FLA contract lobbyist; if you have questions or comments please direct them to him at FMS@Washington-Resource.com