FORESTS

 

It is the policy of The Chamber that public forest policy contribute positively to the world competitiveness of forest-dependent businesses in the province while meeting, on a sustainable basis, the social, environmental and economic needs of British Columbians.

 

As current public forest policy is adversely impacting this competitiveness, The Chamber recommends action be taken to improve this policy in at least two key areas:

 

1. Amount of and Availability of Timber Supply:  to reverse the trend of a declining timber supply and remove unnecessary impediments to the availability of that supply, The Chamber recommends that the provincial government:

·  protect the forest land base;

·  improve the process for establishing the Allowable Annual Cut including, but not limited to, establishment of Forest Land Reserve and Timber Product targets; and

·  encourage investment in our forests; and

·  remove administrative impediments to making the full AAC available for harvest.

 

2. Cost of Timber Supply:  to reverse the trend of increasing delivered wood costs, The Chamber recommends that the provincial government:

·  continue regulatory reform and deregulation with the intent of removing impediments to harvest; and

·  establish a stumpage system that reflects the market value of the resource.