Summer 2018

I N D U S T R Y N E W S 16 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry  | Summer 2018 www.wvfa.org Latest on China Export Situation Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc. A NEW GROUP, the US Forest Products Trade Coalition, has been formed by industry stakeholders who are impacted by the latest trade actions taken by the Government of China (GOC) to stop the importation of US logs that were not fumigated prior to shipment. The Coalition release states it plans to: 1. Be proactive in facilitating a solution to the regulatory issues at hand. 2. Minimize economic disruption to the industries in both the U.S. and China. 3. Find a longer term solution to the phytosanitary issues related to bilateral trade in logs. The Coalition has contacted the US Embassy in Beijing, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Washington, DC, the US Trade Representative’s Office, and the White House National Economic Council. The group states that GOC's enforcement action is problematic for three key reasons: 1. The announced enforcement change was disruptive to trade. The announcement was made on Friday, April 27, to take effect at midnight. This immediate enforcement threatens cargo that was in route at the time of the announcement. 2. The enforcement announcement was not transparent. The industry was not given time to react to the enforcement change announcement, nor to clarify with officials from GOC, as the announcement was made on Friday, April 27, before the Monday and Tuesday (April 30–May 1) Labour Day holiday in China. This timing has added greatly to the confusion in the market. 3. The enforcement announcement was made arbitrarily. There were no triggering incidences of pests, infestation, nor other phytosanitary problems. The Coalition is seeking to: 1. Negotiate a delay the effective date of this enforcement change until July 15 in order to allow sufficient time for logs that are presently in route to be cleared through the value chain. 2. Immediately identify and certify Chinese legal fumigation facilities in the receiving ports. 3. Find a working fumigant to replace methyl bromide, such as those allowed from the EU. Final and permanent rules that are reasonable, science-based, transparent and mutually beneficial should be implemented no later than January 1, 2019.  For more information, call (202) 251-6320 2018 Annual Conference Tentative Agenda Please note – Events are subject to change. This is a work in progress. Wednesday July 11 th Thursday July 12 th Friday July 13 th Saturday July 14 th 9:00am PLT Workshop With Linda Carnell 9:00am – 11:00am SFI Committee Meeting 10:00am – 12:00 Board of Directors Meeting Noon - Lunch (on your own) 1:30 pm - WV Tree Farm Program Sponsored CFE Workshop Goal – 4 CFE’s Speakers TBD 6:00pm - Award Banquet ❖ Tree Farmer of the Year Award ❖ Forester of the Year Award ❖ Service Award ❖ Education Award ❖ Other Awards 9:00am – 5:00pm Logging Equipment Expo & Timber & Wood Show (Bear Paw Lodge Grounds) 8:30am - Meet at Pro Shop Golf ( Tee Time - 9:00am ) 9:00am – 11:00am Spouses Craft 9:00am – 11:00am Junior Forester Program Noon - Lunch (on your own) 1:30pm - Skeet Shoot, Horseshoe, Cornhole Logging Events, Fly Casting 6:00pm-8:00pm WV Logger Council BBQ (Bear Paw Lodge) 8:00pm – 9:00pm Tree Farm Reception (Silent Auction Room) 9:00am – 5:00pm Logging Equipment Expo & Timber & Wood Show (Bear Paw Lodge Grounds) 8:00am - Business Session 9:00am - CFE Workshop (Morning Session) Goal – 3 CFE’s Speaker TBD Noon - Awards Luncheon ❖ Logger-of-the-Year Award ❖ Door Prizes ❖ Silent Auction Results ❖ Golf Results ❖ Logging Events Results ❖ Cornhole Results ❖ Horseshoe Results ❖ Shooting Results ❖ Conference-Photos slide presentation Adjourn 2:00pm – WVLC Meeting After Luncheon - Silent Auction Items Pickup Please note – Events are subject to change. This is a work in progress. 2018 Annual Co ference Tentative Agenda