Prince Edward Island Looks to Expand its Lumber In
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, October 26, 2006--The Prince Edward Island government wants to expand its forestry industry beyond softwood lumber, according to the Canadian Press.
Strategies in a new government policy include increasing the focus on finished products such as flooring and furniture, as well as non-timber products such as food and pharmaceuticals.
The province also plans to give more funding to projects that use alternative forestry management practices, such as partial planting or thinning.
The Island government owns about 15 per cent of the province's forests, and says it will better manage and promote Crown land and protect ecologically sensitive areas.
Some of the new policies will be implemented immediately.
Others, especially funding changes, will be phased in beginning next year.
"While timber will continue to be an important forest product, concentrating more effort on higher-end wood products and non-timber forest products will provide more opportunities for landowners and create jobs and wealth for our Island economy," said Forestry Minister Jamie Ballem.
