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| Softwood Lumber Trade Enforcement Provisions Included in Farm Bill Agreement | 2008-05-13 | ||||||
U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Trade Enforcement Provisions Included in Farm Bill Agreement
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee announced today that provisions to strengthen and improve enforcement of the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) have been included in the Farm Bill agreement expected to be voted on in the Congress in the coming week.
“Canada’s under-collection of export taxes has significantly damaged America’s sawmills and workers,” said Senator Snowe. “Is it so unreasonable for us to ensure that Canada simply comply with the existing agreement? Since Canada has failed to live up to its commitments, it is incumbent upon the United States to step-up enforcement of the SLA.”
The enforcement measures included in the Farm Bill conference report would require importers of softwood lumber to certify that shipments comply relevant trade agreements, including the SLA. Senator Snowe worked with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Senator Saxby Chambliss to include the provision in the Farm Bill following months of Administration resistance to the proposal, despite data indicating that Canada has failed to collect as much as $50 million in export taxes by the SLA.
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