Minister Expresses Concerns About Trade Proposals

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy told federal trade minister Pierre Pettigrew that the Atlantic region must be excluded from trade negotiations over lumber with the United States. The two ministers met last week during the Maritime Lumber Bureau's annual meeting in Fredericton.

Under the trade negotiations, Canada is proposing that a system of national quotas be adopted as a way of mitigating anti-dumping duties. The duties do not apply to exports of lumber from the Atlantic provinces, where the majority of lumber is harvested from private lands.

"We are not part of the problem and should not be offered up as part of any solution," said Mr. Murphy during his meeting with the federal minister. "For more than 15 years, this region has been recognized by the United States that we compete on favourable terms, and we should continue to be excluded from any proposals that would apply to lumber exports from other provinces."

Following the meeting, Mr. Murphy said that he believes Mr. Pettigrew now has a better understanding of the position being taken by Atlantic provincial governments and the industry in this region.