Forest Products: Trade Policy Highlights


What's New? \| Trade Data \| Country Reports \| Market News \| Trade Policy \| Publications \| Coming Events \| Helpful Links

	FOREST PRODUCTS TRADE POLICY HIGHLIGHTS - MARCH 2004
	Korea Delays Import Requirements for Wood Packaging Material
	On March 20, 2004, Korea announced that it was delaying implementation of its new import requirements for wood packaging material, which were scheduled for implementation from June 1, 2004, to June 1, 2005. The United States had requested that Korea reconsider its pending requirements because they were not in conformity with the "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade," which was adopted by the International Plant Protection Convention in March 2002, or were not feasible to implement.

	India Clarifies Wood Packaging Material Requirements
	FAS/New Delhi reports that India confirmed in bilateral discussions that it will not implement its new requirements for wood packaging material until June as it will need time to consider the large number of comments it is receiving from other countries. The requirements were scheduled to take effect on April 1. Moreover, India subsequently confirmed that it would not require a phytosanitary certificate for wood packaging material that is treated and marked in accordance with ISPM 15, "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade." A phytosanitary certificate will be required for wood packaging material that is not appropriately treated and marked.

	WTO Panel Ruling Puts in Question U.S.- Canada Softwood Lumber Dispute
	On March 22, 2004, a WTO panel issued a report stating that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) had failed to prove that a substantial increase in imports of softwood lumber from Canada was imminent, to support its threat of injury determination in the countervailing and antidumping cases. Canadian softwood lumber is currently subject to a countervailing duty of 18.79 percent, and antidumping duties ranging from 2.18 to 12.44.

	NAFTA Panel Remands Softwood Lumber Antidumping (AD) Case a Second Time
	On March 5, 2004, a NAFTA panel remanded for the second time part of the U.S.-Canadian softwood lumber AD case back to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) for further consideration. The panel accepted most of the elements of the DOC determination, but directed DOC to reconsider certain expenses as it regards the dumping margins for three of the six Canadian companies individually reviewed by DOC (Tembec, West Fraser, and Slocan).

	Use of International Mark for Wood Packaging Material Authorized
	The American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) has been authorized by USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to use the international mark for certifying compliance of pallets and other wood packaging material manufactured in the United States with the “Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade” approved by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Authorization came after legal issues surrounding the use of the mark were cleared up. The “Guidelines” provide globally-accepted measures for the treatment of wood packaging material, to minimize the introduction of forest pests. ALSC oversees the U.S. heat treatment program for wood packaging material under a MOU with APHIS.