NBLP Opposes U.S. Countervailing Duties

New U.S. Department of Commerce countervailing and anti-dumping duties are unfair and will be appealed. Jerome Pelletier, chair of the New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP) and vice-president of J.D. Irving, Limited’s sawmills division, says “While any movement is welcomed, we maintain our position that these duties are unjust. New, lowered countervailing duties for J.D. Irving, Limited seem to agree with our position that the province’s softwood industry is not subsidized and that New Brunswick’s mills are being treated unfairly.” As well, the NBLP believe the historic maritime provinces’ exemption from U.S. lumber duties should be reinstated.” New Brunswick’s crown royalty system, which is based on the New Brunswick Forest Products Commission’s independent survey of private stumpage transactions each year, has been in place since the 1982 Crown Lands and Forests Act and has historically been a key reason why the maritime provinces were excluded from U.S. softwood countervailing duties. The NBLP will challenge the new rates through an appeal in the coming weeks. However, Pelletier says, “We also continue to believe that a negotiated settlement between the Canadian and U.S. governments is the appropriate solution.”