FRANCE — Fibre Excellence has taken the next step in its battle with the French government. The pulp producer, which operates two sites in Saint-Gaudens and Tarascon, has requested a preliminary administrative appeal, a compulsory step before referring the matter to the administrative judge. For the industrialist, “the future of the company and the French forest-wood-paper industry is at stake between now and mid-April”. Committed to a conciliation procedure “unsuccessful to date in avoiding receivership” management is now looking to “to obtain a written response from the State”. …Without a commitment by April 14, the situation could tip over the edge, warns Fibre Excellence, which is talking about suspension of payments. And Fibre Excellence will be “forced” to refer the matter to the administrative judge, who may order modifications to the contract in question, but also “grant compensation commensurate with the damage suffered”.