N.S. forestry industry fights change

A battle is shaping up over the Nova Scotia government's promise to change the way trees are harvested in the province.

The big players in Nova Scotia's forest industry, worth $1 billion annually, are ramping up a lobby campaign to fight the proposed changes. Workers and suppliers are being urged to voice their opposition to the changes.

In May, a panel report recommended limits on clear cutting, reduced herbicide spraying and mandatory management plans on private woodlots.

In Nova Scotia, 97 per cent of all wood harvesting is done through clear cutting, and the government is promising to take action to make the forests more sustainable.

Stephen Thompson, woodlands manager at Elmsdale Lumber, an independently owned sawmill, is urging the government to slow down before curbing harvesting practices.

"The fear is this is going to become law and we're going to be stuck with something that affects us for decades to come," he said Wednesday. "Why get it done in the next two weeks?"

Long-time Elmsdale Lumber employee Darrell Davis sees red tape and more cost for the company.

"What about the little fella like me? You know, I've also got to make a living. If the employer is dishing out more money, how am I going to take any more home?" he said.

Fear-mongering

The Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia is blaming " a few vocal people who would prefer to see our industry die" for the changes.

Raymond Plourde, with the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, said those are powerful words.

"We are shocked and surprised at the level and intensity of this engineered fear-mongering campaign to scare the hell out of small private woodlot owners and contractors and other people in the industry," he said.

Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell isn't changing his mind.

"I don't want this report to be another one gathering dust," he said. " I want it to be one that's implemented."

MacDonell said there will be a decision on the big issues such as clear cutting by September, and an entire forestry package in place by the end of the year.