The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 22 clarifying the assessment rate for softwood lumber imported into the United States and modifying the membership of the SLB established under the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (or Checkoff). The assessment rate on softwood lumber remains unchanged at $0.41 per thousand board feet (MBF)… [but] the rule clarifies a discrepancy where lumber in the US, Canada, and Mexico was measured by nominal size or count, while lumber from European countries is often measured by its “net” size or count. …The revised calculation is expected to add more than $367 thousand to the Softwood Lumber Board’s budget. …The Board is required to review membership at least every five years. …Production of softwood lumber in the US South has increased in recent years, warranting an additional board seat to accurately represent the industry.