CHINA IMPORTS MORE B.C. LOGS
A recently signed agreement between Ottawa and China could see a jump in business for loggers on B.C.’s coast. The agreement allows B.C. logs into two Chinese ports year round, without being treated for pests.
Up until now, untreated B.C. logs could only enter China in the winter months and they could only go through one Chinese port – Putian in the province of Fujian, where they were fumigated. Under the new agreement, B.C. logs will also be able to enter China at Taicang, which is close to Shanghai, and they will be allowed into China year round.
China is now the largest importer of logs in the world and in 2009 they consumed 28 billion cubic metres with imports jumping 13 per cent so far in 2010. Right now, China receives less than 400,000 cubic metres of low grade logs from B.C., but according to an article in the Vancouver Sun newspaper, the new agreement is expected to “spark” logging activity in northwestern B.C., an area of the province that has been hit hard by the downturn in the forest industry, and has an abundant supply of low grade hemlock.
Brian Zak, a forest industry consultant and the forestry sector representative for pest control issues in the log and lumber trade, told the Sun the lifting of trade barriers brings Canadian export regulations in line with competitors in other parts of the world.
“Our shipments were seasonal, from Oct. 1 to April 30, whereas Alaskan and Russian logs were allowed year round shipments.”
Zak defended the agreement, telling the Sun the expanded trade in low-grade logs is expected to create new jobs in logging, trucking and long-shoring in the province. He added that there are few mills on the coast that can handle the low-grade logs going to China so jobs in B.C. mills are not being lost.
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