Resolute being 'antagonistic' to environment groups: Greenpeace

Environmental group Greenpeace says Resolute Forest Products has nobody to blame but itself after the company says its lost business over environmental concerns.

Richard Brooks was reacting to a comment made by Resolute CEO Richard Garneau at a company-sponsored meeting about the boreal forest in Thunder Bay on Tuesday.

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The forest campaign co-ordinator for Greenpeace said Resolute needs to adhere to forestry standards.

"Resolute's facing problems because it's not practising sustainable forestry. And that's entirely under its own purview,” Brooks said.

“It's not Greenpeace's fault that it's perhaps losing customers. It's entirely its own fault."

Brooks noted many customers are unwilling to deal with a company that doesn't practise sustainable forestry.

Resolute counters that it adheres "strictly" to internationally-recognized sustainable forest standards.

Brooks added it's possible to achieve a balance between the environment and the economy.

"We've done it with other logging companies in Canada, in British Columbia, as an example in the Great Bear Rainforest,” he said.

“And, if we can do it there, where the trees are 1,000  years old, we can certainly do it in Ontario."

Resolute has taken an “antagonistic approach” in dealing with environmental groups like Greenpeace, Brooks said, however Greenpeace is still willing to work with the company.

Published information from Resolute says it has implemented sustainable forestry practices and responsible fibre sourcing.

Superior Morning3:50Greenpeace Reaction

Greenpeace reacts to criticism expressed at Resolute Forest Product's boreal forest forum that environmental groups will hurt the company's ability to operate. Richard Brooks is the Forest Campaign Coordinator for Greenpeace...