Perdue Hoping to Open Timber Markets for International Trade

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says he hopes that they can begin to find foreign markets that are open to purchasing more U.S. wood products and expand the timber trade.

Perdue spoke to the meeting of the National Association of State Foresters noting that forests are just like farms.

“I tell our farmers out there and I want to tell you as our foresters, if you grow it, we’re going to sell it. We’re going to find a market for it around the world. We’ve appointed an Undersecretary of Trade from Indiana, Ted McKinney. His job is going to be going on a plane every day, knocking on doors to picking up the phone asking, ‘Where can I sell U.S. grown products today, and that includes forestry as well.”

There are trade issues with Canada on soft wood policies and they are trying to address those through renegotiation of NAFTA.