AMS to Hold Referendum on Continuing Softwood Lumber Import Fees

The Agricultural Marketing Service is holding a vote on whether to continue the softwood lumber promotion order and its assessments on importers, it said. Only importers and domestic producers of more than 15 million board feet per year are eligible to vote in the referendum. Under the promotion order, which took effect in 2012 (see 11121931), importers above that threshold must pay an assessment of $0.1483 per cubic meter on imports under subheadings 4407.10.01, 4409.10.05, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, 4409.10.90 and 4418.90.25. The fees fund efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The referendum will be conducted by mailed ballot beginning April 17, with votes due no later than May 14.