The Province is continuing to allow limited exports of low-grade logs in an effort to support economic development in northwestern B.C., Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The Province is extending an exemption that allows forest companies in the Northwest to export up to 20% of the logs they harvest on the North Coast and in the Northwest Interior without first having to offer these logs to domestic markets. The exemptions were first put in place in 2002.

The Forest Act has always contained provisions for log exports.

Logging in these areas is expensive, given the remote locations and rugged terrain, and the logs are of poor quality and difficult to sell to the few domestic manufacturers in the area. These exemptions allow logging companies to look for international markets for the low-grade wood and enhance job opportunities for loggers and truckers in the region. 

Quick Facts:

• More than 90% of the timber harvested in B.C. is sold to domestic manufacturers.
• The exemption does not apply to western redcedar or cypress.

Learn More:

Provincial log export policy: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=336A49AE91924FCDA00DEB0DDFB5328B

Forest Act: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/96157_10

Media Contact:

Greig Bethel
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261