ITA Requests Comments on July-Dec 2009 Softwood Lumber Export Subsidies
The International Trade Administration is requesting comments on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the period July 1 -- December 31, 2009.
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Comments are due by June 2, 2010.
ITA Seeks Comments as Part of SLA 2008 Reporting Requirements
The Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 (which was part of the 2008 Farm Bill, Public Law 110-246) requires, among other things, that not later than 180 days after enactment (June 18, 2008), and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce provide to the appropriate congressional committees a report on any subsidies on softwood lumber or softwood lumber products, including stumpage subsidies, provided by countries of export. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/14/08 news, (Ref: 08081410), for BP summary of this SLA 2008 reporting requirement.)
As part of its report to Congress, the ITA intends to include a list of subsidy programs identified with sufficient clarity by the public in response to this notice.
Comments on Countries Whose Exports are 1% or More of U.S. Imports
Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and softwood lumber products to the U.S., the ITA is soliciting public comment only on subsidies provided by countries whose exports accounted for at least one percent of total U.S. imports of softwood lumber by quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule 4407.10.01 (which accounts for the vast majority of imports), during the period July 1 through December 31, 2009.
Official U.S. import data indicates that exports of softwood lumber from Canada and Chile each account for at least one percent of U.S. imports of softwood lumber products during that time period.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 12/24/09 news, (Ref: 09122420), for BP summary of a GAO report that agencies see little benefit from SLA 2008 reporting requirements.)
ITA notice (FR Pub 04/21/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10189.pdf