Lacey Act Blanket Declaration Pilot Program The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced a Blanket Declaration Pilot Program beginning May 1, 2009. This will allow exporters who frequently ship goods that require the Lacey Act import declaration to file only one blanket declaration each month, with subsequent reconciliation reports. Click here for more information

B.C. Coastal Forest Sector Hem-Fir Initiative This quarterly bulletin provides up-to-date information on projects related to the five-year Coastal (Hemlock and Amabilis Fir) Initiatives. Click here for more information and an update on this important initiative

Action Plan Promotes Further Manufacturing Generating More Value from Our Forests - a vision and action plan for further manufacturing, will help position British Columbia as a world leader in innovative and higher-value uses for wood, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today. Click here for the press release and background information

Stewardship: Energizing Forestry Through New Strategies and Partnerships. The Canadian Institute of Forestry's Annual General Meeting and Associated Conference will be held on September 21 - 23/09 in Nanaimo, BC. Click here for more information

Forestry will Continue to Drive B.C.'s Economy VICTORIA – The Working Roundtable on Forestry today released its report and recommendations for a vibrant and successful forest industry for future generations, announced Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell. Click here for more information Click here to download the full report

Equal Payment Plan for Stumpage and Annual Rent The Equal Payment Plan for Stumpage and Annual Rent is now available as a one-year pilot. This plan is administered by the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue (MSBR). Click here for more information

B.C. Wood Truss Roofing Gets Go-Ahead in China The Shanghai government has formally approved a B.C.-designed roofing system as part of a plan to renovate 10,000 city apartment buildings in the lead-up to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai... Click here for more information

Scholarship to Honour Stan Hagen A new $105,000 scholarship at North Island College, funded in part by the province and industry, has been created in memory of Agriculture and Lands Minister and Comox Valley MLA Stan Hagen. Click here for more information

Fifth Annual Wood Design Awards - Call for Nominations Wood WORKS! BC, a project of the Canadian Wood Council, is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Wood Design Awards competition. The awards honour excellence in wood-based projects and recognize the people and organizations that are pioneering and presenting the use of wood in British Columbia. Click here for more information

B.C. Wood Sales in China Support B.C. Jobs New orders for British Columbia lumber in the world’s fastest growing market provide a boost for B.C.’s forest sector. Click here for more information

B.C. Wood Enhances China's Landscape Qingdao, China is the location of a new $125,000 landscape project demonstrating creative new uses of B.C. hemlock and western red cedar products. Click here for more information

Forests Minister Heads Trade Mission to China A group of B.C. forest sector delegates, led by Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell, leaves today for a six-day trade mission to China to increase demand for wood products in China’s largest cities and major building markets. Click here to view the press release and backgrounder

The 2009 Budget Consultation Hearings: Recommendations from the Coastal Forest Industry Rick Jeffery, President & CEO of the Coast Forest Products Association recently presented to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services regarding the 2009 provincial budget and priorities for the coastal forest industry. Click here to view the presentation and recommendations

Coast Forest Industry Recommendations to the Working Roundtable on Forestry Coast Forest Products Association is calling on the provincial government’s Working Roundtable on Forestry to provide the foundation for the investment stability needed to guide B.C.’s forest industry out of its current economic slump and build the road for the future. Click here for the news release and complete list of recommendations

Wood Use Promoted to Tackle Climate Change A new booklet entitled "Tackle Climate Change, Use Wood", produced in conjunction with B.C.’s Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the Forest Products Association of Canada and the B.C. Forestry Climate Change Working Group, informs global markets and consumers about B.C. forests and how they produce renewable, climate-friendly products that sequester carbon. Click here for more information on BC forests and sustainability Click here to download the news release and booklet

Simulated Earthquake Test in Japan Proves Safety and Durability of Coastal Forest Products B.C.’s coastal forest industry took a major step this week toward regaining market share in Japan with a unique simulated earthquake test of products specifically designed for the Japanese housing market Click here for more information

New Softwood Lumber Data Elements System Requirements U.S. Customs has released new information regarding the 2008 Farm Bill data requirements for the Softwood Lumber Data Elements System. For more information visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service website: U.S Customs & Border Protection Or download the Federal Register documents here

Building Code Changes Promote the Use of Wood in Mid-Rise Structures Wood Works! BC and the Canadian Wood Council, in conjunction with the Provincial government and industry have been working to implement changes to the BC Building Code that will allow the use of wood in mid-rise construction. Click here for more information

Canadian Wood. Renewable by Nature. Sustainable by Design. Information and inspiring images on the usage and sustainability of Canadian wood in architectural design from The Canadian Wood Council, published in conjunction with the Forest Products Association of Canada and bcforestinformation.com. Click here to view

Canada's Forest Industry: Recognizing the Challenges and Opportunities A Report of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended changes in federal policy affecting the forest industry to encourage new investment and new opportunities. Click here to read the report