2007-06-05
A reassured assembly

The wood producers and the members of the Union of forest owners of southwestern Quebec met in an annual general assembly on Thursday, May 3rd 2007. They reviewed the management and financial reports for the year 2006. They noted that the deliveries for 2006 were similar to those of 2005. Considering the upheavals in the forestry industry, this was deemed good news. Indeed, the negotiations will have saved the markets for most of the private forest products, and this, despite the temporary closures of several mills. Admittedly, the results did not always satisfy expectations, but they made it possible to maintain the producers’ buying power and to conserve the market shares reserved for the territory’s targeted producers. For lumber, the hardwood context is very difficult and this had repercussions on the prices. We must remain very vigilant on the buyers’ capacity and guarantee of payment for this type of product. For pallet wood, the supply is very high and the market is very limited leading to a variation in the price of roundwood. Finally, for softwood timber, in spite of the settlement of the dispute on the exportation of softwood lumber, the situation remains extremely difficult. Over the next few months, the market situation will be a priority for the union. It is also during this meeting that the Joint plan producers learned from the appointed administrator that the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec (RMAAQ) was returning the administration of the plan to the producers, more specifically, to those producers chosen by their fellow members as administrators of the union. By ratifying the union’s activities, the producers and members took note of the new regulations concerning exclusive marketing, the contributions deductions, and the administrative regulations. The RMAAQ was informed of these decisions and must proceed in the publication of the new regulations. The producers also adopted by majority an increase in the contributions over three years for the Outaouais and Laurentians sectors. Altogether, this assembly will have permitted the producers to align themselves towards organised and equitable marketing. The resumption of the administration of the plan by the producers reflects their engagement to the collective development and protection of their interests.