Tester statement on extension of softwood lumber agreement

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement in response to the news that the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement has been extended:

“This agreement offers more certainty, supply and fair competition for Montana’s mills and the men and women whose jobs depend on them.  But we have more work to do to make sure Montana’s timber industry always remains a strong part of Montana’s economy, which is why I’ll continue finding common ground to create more opportunities in Montana forests.”

Tester has been pushing the U.S. Trade Representative since 2010 to enforce and extend the Softwood Lumber Agreement.

A longtime advocate for the timber industry, Tester worked closely with Montana mill owners on his popular Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.  The bill includes a Congressional mandate to mechanically treat 100,000 acres of national forest land in Montana over the next 15 years.  Tester's bill also creates permanent recreation areas and safeguards some of Montana's most popular places to hunt and fish.

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