Features Environment & Sustainability
FSC Canada wants more time to develop standard

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will implement a new forest management standard in Canada, but only after considerable stakeholder engagement ensures this new standard reflects the opinions of all stakeholders.

This is according to Kim Carstensen, director general of FSC, who was responding to concerns from environmental, social and economic groups that their needs would be superseded by others in the development of the new standard. Stakeholders were also concerned about the implementation of Motion 65, passed at FSC’s last international members’ meeting, which called for the protection of the world’s remaining untouched forests.

The current deadline to implement Motion 65 into national forest management standards, set for the end of 2016.

FSC Intertnational’s Board of Directors has agreed to receive and vote on a proposal to prolong the current deadline at their next meeting in July. A postponement would give the Canadian stakeholders appropriate time to agree how protection of intact forest landscapes should be included in the national standard.

While FSC international members voted for Motion 65, forest management standards are developed at a national level.

A statement from FSC Canada says that the group recognizes that a relevant and feasible new standard requires analysis and consensus and that it will take into consideration the needs of all members to ensure that the National Forest Management Standard is an accurate reflection of all Canadian stakeholders.

FSC Canada’s forest management standard is set to be completed in early 2017. To reach this objective, FSC Canada will have to merge its four standards (B-C, National Boreal, Maritimes, Great Lakes/St. Lawrence) into a national standard.