Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports Comments on Court Decision to Dismiss Constitutional Challenge

Washington, DC, USA, 12 December 2006 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today dismissed on technical grounds the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports's complaint that the NAFTA Chapter 19 dispute settlement panel system violates the United States Constitution. The Court dismissed the case on technical jurisdictional grounds relating to the settlement of the softwood lumber dispute with Canada.

Coalition chairman Steve Swanson stated, "The Coalition remains confident about the validity of its case, and the Court did not call into question the merits of our showing that the NAFTA Chapter 19 system is unconstitutional."

Swanson concluded by stating that the Coalition, "remains committed to making the lumber settlement agreement with Canada work as intended for its full seven to nine year term, and we will continue seeking to establish a fair competitive playing field for U.S. sawmills, mill workers, and family timberland owners across the United States."

The U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports is an alliance of large and small lumber producers from around the country. The Coalition is united in opposition to Canada's unfair lumber-trade practices, including its under-pricing of timber. For more information, visit the Coalition's Web site at http://www.fairlumbercoalition.org/

Source: Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports