Conservationists want BC’s forestry industry to be modernized amid ongoing US tariff threats.
On Friday, the Ancient Forest Alliance and Endangered Ecosystems Alliance called on the BC Government to not only modernize the industry, but to also protect old-growth forests.
The aim is to bring a more sustainable second-growth forest industry to respond to tariff threats, with hopes it can lead to endangered ecosystems being protected and a more diverse economy.
Executive Director of the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance Ken Wu says the government can go in two routes in response to US tariffs.
“They can either fall back on the status quo of old-growth logging and raw log exports or instead take the opportunity to invest in a modernized, sustainable, value-added second-growth forest industry that is the future of forestry in BC, while protecting the last old-growth forests,” said Ken Wu.
Campaign Director of the Ancient Forest Alliance TJ Watt says while they acknowledge the progress that has been made in protecting old-growth forests, they urge the province to fill the remaining policy gaps for these issues.
Both organizations recommend the province bring policies that support these changes.
“This should include financial incentives for new industry investments in value-added and engineered wood products made from second-growth wood,” said the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance.
“These incentives can include rebates derived from the log export “fees in lieu” and PST and property tax relief, as well as government support for R&D and domestic and international market development for sustainable wood products.”
Other changes they recommend include bringing a Conservation Economy Strategy to support economic opportunities, developing a Protected Areas Strategy to protect old-growth forests, and to implement a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.
To see all of their recommendations, click here.
