STATEMENT ON NAFTA PANEL DECISION
ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER FROM CANADA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Franklin L. Lavin, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, released the following statement on the decision by a NAFTA Panel concerning the dispute over U.S. imports of softwood lumber from Canada:

"Today the NAFTA Panel reviewing the Commerce Department's final determination in the countervailing duty investigation on softwood lumber from Canada issued its response to the Department's October 28 request for clarification of the Panel's October 5 decision and request for extension of time to file the Department's Fifth Remand Determination.

"The Department is closely reviewing the Panel's response and will respond by the date set by the Panel, November 23, 2005."