ESFPA E-News

ESFPA Campaign & Survey on Tariffs

The recent U.S. tariffs and foreign country retaliatory responses are devastating export markets of New York forest products and threaten lasting impacts on our log, lumber and pulp and paper markets. While our companies can appreciate rational and strategic foreign market policy that protects our companies and workers, we cannot have the degree of unpredictability and market disruption the past few weeks have brought.

Take action now and reach out to the Governor and her agencies, your state and federal elected representatives and let them know how your company and employees are impacted and that you deserve a rational and predictable market environment to operate in.

Please edit the letter and add a personal reality reflecting your business. We are also asking you to provide some figures relative to your company, products, foreign markets you work in and employees that are impacted.

With your voice we can effectuate change and fair markets!!

Click the link below to join the advocacy campaign. Please edit the portions of email that are blank to reflect your personal information.

ESFPA has been communicating with our national affiliate associations, the Governor’s Office and State agencies and our federal Congressional representatives making them aware of the impacts these tariffs have on our sector and businesses and how we need predictability in the markets.

To bolster our effectiveness on this we have created a survey and need your anecdotes on the impacts of these tariffs on your operations. All responses will be confidential, and we are looking to report cumulative impacts not specific impacts on any one business.

Your feedback is critical. Please respond to this survey ASAP and if you have any questions contact Gabriella at gabriella@esfpa.org.

The Latest News on Tariffs

On March 12th, the European Union (EU) announced its proposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products in response to U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum. The European Commission's statement may be found here.
 
The list of products targeted by the EU is extensive, and includes many wood products such as lumber, veneer, molding, flooring, plywood, OSB, casks, and more. The proposed European list also includes $1 billion in pulp, approximately $109 million in boxboard, and approximately $80 million in converted paper products. After a consultation period this month, these tariffs will go into effect in April.
 
The European Commission (EC) is holding "Stakeholder Consultations," where the industry can provide feedback on the proposed tariffs through an online survey.  At this time, U.S. exporters and their European importers are encouraged to fill out the online consultation form to encourage the exemption of U.S. forest products from this trade dispute. The EC has launched this survey seeking the views of those affected by the tariffs, with a submission deadline of March 26. The complete list of products included in this trade action is available on the survey page, and forest products begin with HS code "44." Comments on these proposals will be accepted until March 26, and we expect the counter-tariffs to go into effect in mid-April.

As reported by our colleagues with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), on March 12, the E.U. announced it would target American-made goods, including wood products (logs, lumber and veneer), to retaliate against U.S. tariffs starting on April 2 with more later in the month.  In response to this action, the President threatened additional tariffs of up to 200% on European wines and liquors. 

Talking Points developed by AHEC to facilitate industry response may be accessed here. Canada also added tariffs to another $20.6 billion in exports to the U.S.  Canada’ list of retaliatory tariffs includes wood products.  Canada also initiated a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. While China has announced tariffs on a limited number of products including logs, lumber does not seem to be a current target.  Mexico has not taken retaliatory action but has stated they are considering what actions to take and when.

ESFPA will be monitoring this fluid situation with the help of our national affiliates.  Please watch for future articles as these change rapidly.

US Environmental Protection Agency Updates

Last week, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced several regulatory reform initiatives to relieve compliance burdens on the regulated community. Here are several articles/releases compiled by the Forest Resources Association on the announcement.  Of the 31 announced deregulatory actions, FRA is paying particular attention to plans to revisit the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 standard tightened last year. Recall that the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) was ratcheted down from 12 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) to 9 µg/m³. This action threatened to bring large swaths of the country into nonattainment for the pollutant, resulting in barriers to obtaining new permits to expand operations, for example.
 
On the same day, Administrator Zeldin announced that EPA would work with the Army Corps of Engineers to review the definition of "waters of the United States" or WOTUS. The action aims to revise the definition to provide farmers, forest landowners, businesses, and states with a clear and simplified direction.

The Future of Private Lands Conference

The Adirondack Landowners Association will be hosting their annual conference at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury on Saturday May 3^rd.  This is a one-day summit on forest land management and legacy planning for Adirondack landowners.

This immersive conference is dedicated to empowering private forest stewards with the knowledge and tools needed to protect and enhance our precious woodland resources, now and for future generations. 

The comprehensive program addresses:

• Master planning fundamentals: Learn the value and mechanics of a master plan
• Private forestry opportunities: Navigate challenges while maximizing potential
• Climate resilience: Understand the changing environmental conditions of our forests
• Generational transition: Engage the next generation to continue the legacy
• Financial sustainability: Explore innovative approaches and fresh perspectives on familiar economic tools
• Invasive species management: Latest identification and monitoring efforts
• Community connections: How we can strengthen our vital relationship with local government

Whether you are an individual owner, member of a club, or part of a multi-generational landowner, this conference offers practical insights and valuable connections to help you become a more effective steward of your land.

Click the link below to register:

One-House Budget Bills

Last Thursday the New York Assembly and Senate each passed their one-house budget bills in response to Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal. Here is ESFPA’s summary. Both the Dem-controlled Assembly and state Senate budget proposals add about $4 billion in brand new spending for Fiscal 2026. That’s on top of the $9 billion increase proposed by Governor Hochul. While we are disappointed that many of the Private Stewardship Initiatives we suggested for an increased EPF fund did not make it in either one-house bill, we continue to advocate for those that were included.  We have also initiated some advocacy on some of the Article VII bill proposals, but it looks as few have both houses in agreement on. 

We are also collaborating with like-minded associations in opposing the Legislature’s efforts to increase Personal Income Taxes and Corporate Franchise Taxes.  It’s obvious that New York does not have a revenue problem, we have an expense problem.

This sets the stage for three-way negotiations on the final budget. By most measures we anticipate a close to on time budget for April 1^st. It seems that the Legislature is anxious to get this done in advance of any concrete federal cuts which could impact New York’s fiscal picture. The message we are hearing is “get this done and if necessary, we will come back later in the year”. If that is the case, we may well see them return because it appears federal cuts are coming.

We will continue to communicate as the budget details develop.