U.S. triggers softwood test

[CHIMO]

Source: Canadian Press

The U.S. government has launched arbitration proceedings in what will be the first major test of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement.

It claims Canada is violating terms of the year-old treaty by pushing too much B.C. and Alberta lumber into the U.S. market and by forest-industry support programs offered by Ontario and Quebec.

“It is truly regrettable that, just 10 months after the agreement entered into force, the United States has no choice but to initiate arbitration proceedings to compel Canada to live up to its SLA obligations . . .” U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said today in a news release.

“Our efforts to resolve these matters through consultations have not been successful.”


Read more: http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/243952#