B.C. forest industry concerned about proposed changes to timber harvesting rights

B.C. forestry companies say proposed legislation that would give government a veto over the transfer of timber cutting rights has put the entire forest industry “on pause.”

Forestry Minister Doug Donaldson said he’s heard from many small operators, including First Nations groups and communities, who are interested in purchasing a timber tenure. One of the goals of the amended Forest Act will be to ensure changes of control do not result in further concentration of harvesting rights, meaning that a swap that happened five years ago between West Fraser and rival Canfor could be off the table in the future.

But Donaldson said the legislation will give government a tool to monitor tenure swaps and hold them up to a “public interest test.”In a recent conference call on its first-quarter earnings, West Fraser CEO Ted Seraphim said uncertainties about government policy could cause the company to put major projects on hold over the next couple years.

Business Business Latest News, Business Business Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Plenty of Fish founder Markus Frind sets his sights on B.C. wine industryWith famed winemaker Eric von Krosigk – co-founder of Summerhill Estate Winery and winner of 300 wine medals – overseeing the operation, the business is set to bottle its first product in May
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Vaughn Palmer: John Horgan's lack of consultation with industry concerns West Fraser boss“What gives us the greatest concern are the myriad of policy changes that the B.C. government is planning to implement that could potentially impact the B.C. forestry industry,” declares West Frase… We’re WAY past that!
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »