Alta. softwood traders issue statement

EDMONTON — The Alberta Softwood Lumber Trade Council has hit back at a petition filed by the U.S. Lumber Coalition that could open the door to new litigation in the ongoing dispute between the two countries. “The U.S. lumber lobby’s arguments are not supported by facts, and are similar to claims that were made in previous rounds of trade litigation and rejected by independent panels,” said Council co-chair David Anderson in the statement. “The position of our council and industry is that Canadian lumber manufacture is not subsidized and does not cause injury to the American industry, and we are confident that position will again prevail.” The petition, filed by the U.S. Lumber Coalition, asks the U.S. Commerce Department to investigate the possibility of imposing duties on Canadian softwood lumber. It has been expected since a one-year moratorium on further litigation expired last month.