The United States Department of Agriculture terminated the Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order program proposal, commonly called the Hardwood Checkoff, on Oct. 28.
The Hardwood Checkoff would have assessed wood mills of certain sizes in order to fund promotions for the hardwood industry, similar to the “Got Milk?” and “The Other White Meat” campaigns for the milk and pork industries.
The USDA terminated the proposal because of critical public comments, lingering and substantive questions and significant proposed modifications from key stakeholders.
The program was proposed in 2011 by the Blue Ribbon Committee, a group of 14 hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood industry leaders representing small and large manufacturers in the U.S.
A proposed rule was first published in the Federal Register on Nov. 13, 2013, and a comment period was opened. More than 900 comments were submitted, the majority of which opposed the program.
The comment period was extended to allow the USDA to collect comments on specific issues raised in the first period. More than 300 comments were submitted and, again, the majority opposed the program.
To address the opposition, the BRC submitted a modified proposal that significantly reduced the amount of money the Hardwood Checkoff would collect.
Opponents argued that the reduced Checkoff wouldn’t be able to raise enough funds to have an impact.
The USDA will now begin to meet with all interested parties to consider the evolving needs of the industry in the future, according to Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.
Editor's note: Headline updated Oct. 30.
