A key NAFTA panel decision expected on April 30 in a years-long fight over Canadian lumber shipments to the United States might be delayed, a NAFTA secretariat official said.

"An issue has arisen" and the decision whether Canada's $6 billion in annual exports of softwood lumber injure US industry will not be disseminated until the problem is resolved, said a spokeswoman for the secretariat.

A Canadian industry official, who asked not to be named, said the US industry raised questions about one of the NAFTA panelists reviewing the dispute. A US industry spokesman declined to comment, and the secretariat spokeswoman declined to provide details.

The Canadian industry source accused Washington and Ottawa of agreeing to put a hold on the release of the NAFTA panel decision in order to create pressure for a new round of negotiations between the two countries.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin was scheduled to meet President George W. Bush on April 30. Bilateral trade disputes are on their agenda.

The Canadian industry official also said the move to block release of the NAFTA panel decision, which was delivered on April 19, has kicked off a legal battle to try to force its release. (Reuters)