2008-02-15
And now the future...

The current crisis the forest industry is facing is the worst we have experienced in recent decades. A sharp decline in the consumption of newsprint, the commercial paper crisis in the United States (high-risk loans), the over-harvesting of pine in Western Canada due to an insect epidemic and the increased value of the dollar are all elements that have combined and led to a market decline and a weakening of our Quebec forest industry. Most certainly, to get out of this situation, the industry will have to take drastic measures. As a first step, the industry seems motivated to make a significant consolidation of processing units. In doing so, the number and distribution of the plants and mills throughout the territory will certainly impact the marketing opportunities of your wood. However, the government, the industry and the municipal sector must recognize that private forests can and should play a greater role in the re-launching of the forest industry in Quebec. In order to do this, the government will have to invest heavily in the development of private forests in proximity to mills as it is these forests that produce the best quality wood and never reach their allowable cut. The industry will have to start acting like the partner it claims to be and buy the wood at fair value limiting the constraints described to the government. It will have to increase its investment in improving private forest productivity, become creative and develop new forms of business relations. The municipal sector must finally realize the benefits of having a managed forest, harvested according to sustainable methods, and allow, through positive regulations, interventions that would render a forest productive in the future rather than preserving aging territories that degrade unnecessarily. You, the producers and owners will also have to do your part. As owner of these forests, holder of a collective natural wealth, you must ensure that you undertake forestry practices in your wood lots. Harvesting trees is not a criminal act; it is an ecological and economical activity acceptable to all. It creates undeniable personal, social and collective wealth, a life in the rural landscape and creates paying jobs for our youth. As for you part, the wood producers, you must improve your intervention practices and methods. You must also engage yourselves in the process of improvement and continued training to ensure that the image of the “logger” becomes that of an interventionist working to improve the quality of the air and water, of the health of the flora and fauna that surrounds us. Admittedly, these actions would appear like pious wishes, but if we all take a minute to think about it, the amount of work necessary is not much. Many growers are already harvesting wood in a respectful manner and recognize the value of the forest. There are now over 400 000 that possess a Forest management plan and Quebec has forest experts with silviculture experience. Large landowning farmers are starting to recognize that their private forests can contribute to their business and to their community. Only the fundamental environmentalists and certain speculators make it appear as though barriers appear exaggeratedly here and there. The Quebec forest industry has a bright future ahead if the right actions are taken. The Quebec government’s new “green book” is a first step, but it remains just talk for now. People that make a living off the forest have a great need for action. Together we can do it, but time is running out! Armand Plourde General Manager