:: rawblogXport ::

:: Sunday, May 08, 2005 ::

U.S. trade group launches effort to kill a law Canada is fighting in court By BETH GORHAM, Canadian Press
The law, named after its sponsor Senator Robert Byrd, has allowed more than $1 billion US worth of duties imposed on products from various countries to be distributed to U.S. companies.

In addition, the U.S. government has collected about $4 billion in Canadian softwood duties since May 2002. The money is still sitting with U.S. Customs but may yet go to American lumber companies.

'We intend to fight for repeal of the Byrd Amendment every step of the way,' said Steven Alexander, executive director of the coalition.

'(We'll) pinpoint which companies and regions are the major recipients of Byrd handouts over the years. and what they are doing or not doing with the money. We want to highlight those companies that exist solely for Byrd funds.'

The group says only eight U.S. companies have received about half the duties collected so far, not counting the penalties on Canadian softwood.

posted 12:25 PM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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