CRAPO: SOFTWOOD LUMBER CONSULTATION A NECESSARY STEP

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo had the following reaction to the United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab's announcement today that the United States has requested formal consultations with Canada under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement regarding compliance with several of its provisions. "The strength of any agreement is based on parties adhering to its terms," said Crapo. "Unfortunately, Canada has been ignoring parts of the agreement, forcing U.S. timber producers to struggle to compete in a down-turned market with high volumes of government subsidized Canadian lumber. This is affecting jobs in Idaho and across the country and it cannot continue."The Bush Administration is rightly taking this necessary step to ensure that the agreement is respected. I will continue to work with Ambassador Schwab and others to make certain that the terms of the agreement are upheld."