The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has issued its response to the United States Postal Service (USPS) announcement to eliminate six-day mail delivery service.

“The U.S. Postal Service’s decision to eliminate six-day mail delivery is a short-sighted solution with questionable financial savings and will only drive volume out of the system, stripping both the USPS and businesses that depend on the mailing industry of potential revenues,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.  “The greatest contributor to the record $15.9 billion USPS losses in 2012 was not the cost of Saturday delivery but the $11.1 billion in unrealistic benefit obligations. Reduction of service puts mailing industry jobs at risk and eliminates the Postal Service’s opportunities to leverage its network to find new revenue growth.”

The USPS is the essential component of a $1 trillion mailing industry that employs more than 8 million Americans in large and small businesses across the country such as advertising, printing, paper manufacturing, publishing, and financial services.  Approximately one-third, or $6 billion, of printing and writing paper produced in the U.S. is delivered through the Postal Service.

“We urge Congress to take action to ensure the long-term stability of the Postal Service and to passing comprehensive postal reform that supports both long-term cost reductions and new revenue sources, not by cutting critical services needed for delivery of time sensitive information,” said Harman.