41 U.S. Congressman say Canada unfairly subsidizes lumber exports
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Lumber Coalition said it welcomes a letter from 41 United States House Representatives supporting efforts to negotiate a new Softwood Lumber Agreement.
 
The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small lumber producers from around the country, joined by hundreds of thousands of their employees, and tens of thousands of woodland owners.
 
The letter, co-sponsored by Reps. DeFazio (D-OR) and Zinke (R-MT), says that border measures against what the politicians see as subsidized lumber imports are critical for the U.S. lumber industry, claiming Canadian timber is heavily subsidized and sold or contracted at pennies on the dollar compared to U.S. timber of comparable quality.
 
The trade group says Canadian trade practices will increase market share for Canadian producers.
 
The letter from the Congressmen says any new agreement should maintain Canadian exports at or below an agreed U.S. market share, as the U.S. and Canadian governments have both already agreed.
 
The letter also expresses the Representative's sense that the U.S. industry is unlikely to voluntarily give up its rights under current U.S. trade laws in return for an agreement that fails to meet this objective, and that short of an effective agreement, the U.S. industry may file petitions for relief to offset the inequitable advantages provided to its Canadian counterpart by government subsidies. 
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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.