The provincial government has launched a review of BC Timber
Sales (BCTS) to ensure British Columbia¡¯s forestry sector is
continually evolving to overcome challenges and create a
guideline for a stronger, more resilient future.
¡°Forestry in B.C. is in transition, and the people and
communities who rely on our forests ¨C who are bearing the brunt
of ongoing challenges ¨C want change now,¡± said Ravi Parmar,
Minister of Forests, on Wednesday. ¡°That¡¯s why I have asked
Lennard Joe, George Abbott and Brian Frenkel to look at the
opportunities to leverage BCTS to set B.C.¡¯s forest industry up
for the next 100 years.¡±
The launch of the review recognizes the significant pressure the
forest sector is under, from declining allowable annual cuts,
difficulty accessing fibre, global economic conditions and
heightened environmental and trade-protection efforts. Building
on the ongoing work of BCTS, as well as recent forestry-sector
engagement, the review will provide recommendations about how
BCTS can:
- create forestry-sector growth, competition and
diversification;
- provide predictable and reliable market access to fibre;
- diversify access to fibre for the manufacturing sector,
including value-added facilities;
- strengthen partnerships with First Nations and communities;
- provide more jobs for contractors, workers and communities;
and
- lead in innovative, sustainable forest management and
silviculture practices.
The review will be led by the Ministry of Forests with support
from the newly formed expert task force consisting of Abbott,
Joe and Frenkel. It will use the Provincial Forestry Forum, a
group that brings together all interests in the forestry sector,
including contractors, value-added manufacturers, industry and
labour. Work will begin immediately. Action will be taken within
six months of launching the review.
¡°Our work to get more value out of our forests is a top priority
as we grow the B.C. wood-manufacturing sector,¡± Parmar said.
¡°That¡¯s why we are doubling the amount of BCTS volume that is
dedicated to value-added manufacturers, from 10% to 20%. That¡¯s
about 1.1 million cubic metres in 2025 alone.¡±
Managing roughly 20% of the Province¡¯s public timber supply,
BCTS has an integral role in the success and resiliency of
British Columbia¡¯s forestry sector. In 2023, BCTS launched the
Value-Added Manufacturing Program that ensures small and
medium-sized secondary manufacturers have a dedicated fibre
supply.
Additionally, the Province is changing the criteria for the
Value-Added Manufacturing program to enable groups of
manufacturers to bid together within the program, benefiting
more workers and communities around B.C.
Source:
voiceonline.com
