NEWS

The Forest Resources Association, DHA, and allied organizations encouraged USDA's support of a full range of forest products that help sustain a viable forest industry in rural communities and to take the lead in developing markets for biomass generated from actively managing forestlands. Some of the many economic and environmental benefits include supporting healthy, resilient forests for thousands of forest landowners, loggers, and industry workers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will help create jobs in rural areas through USDA's Intermediary Relending Program. The program provides low-interest loans to local lenders who then re-lend the funds to local businesses to help grow economies in rural communities. Businesses can use these loans to buy equipment and machinery and to "acquire, build, convert, expand or repair a business."

PHOTO © GARRETT ENGLISH

The Hardwood Federation and American Hardwood Export Council met with the U.S. Trade Representative's office to discuss the latest developments on the EU Deforestation Regulation. Most in the wood products industry have grave concerns about how the EUDR will affect European export markets if imposed as planned in December. AHEC provided a detailed analysis of the issues hardwood exporters will face as well as possible solutions the U.S.

In early August, Commerce issued its preliminary determination in the 2022 antidumping and countervailing duty administrative reviews on hardwood plywood from China. The focus of these reviews was the eligibility of certain Vietnamese companies to submit certification that their goods are not subject to the AD/CVD duties. 37 companies were denied eligibility to submit certifications as a result of the circumvention determination.

DHA member Rockshield's engineered plywood plant in Cochrane, Ontario, suffered extensive damage from a fire earlier this month. The president of the facility, Tom Scott, stated that there is a good chance the plant will recover. The fire and resulting damage were exacerbated by the fan powering the ventilation system, which worked to pull flames into other parts of the plant.

PHOTO © ROCKSHIELD ENGINEERED PLYWOOD PLANT