Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the reduction of the combined all-other’s Countervailing and Antidumping duty rates from 20.23% to 8.99%. Although this is a significant improvement over the current duty rates, the New Brunswick Lumber Producers believe the historic Maritime Provinces exemption from U.S. lumber duties should be reinstated. Our fair and free market stumpage system justifies the exemption of the New Brunswick industry. We continue to believe that a negotiated settlement between the Canadian and US Governments is the appropriate solution.

The New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP) represent 95% of the softwood lumber produced in the province with over 2000 direct jobs in rural New Brunswick. Communities includes Bristol, Plaster Rock, Tracyville, Saint-Quentin, Fredericton, West Branch, Belledune, Bathurst, Sussex, Chipman, Saint-Léonard, Kedgwick and Doaktown.

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CONTACT:  Jerome Pelletier, President of NB Lumber Producers (506) 632-4111