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

B.C. Forest Safety Council Vancouver Island Safety Conference The B.C. Forest Safety Council will be holding its 3rd annual Vancouver Island Safety Conference on November 1, 2008 in Qualicum Beach. Click here for more information and to register

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

BC Coast Forest Sector Hem-Fir Development Program FPInnovations, in partnership with the coastal forest industry and the Federal and Provincial Governments, are working on a 5-year development program to promote Hemlock and Amabalis Fir. Click here to read the quarterly update bulletin

BC Forestry Climate Change Working Group The BC Forestry Climate Change Working Group recently sent comments and recommendations to the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) regarding two important issues. Click here to read more

Canada Wood Group: China Market Highlight The Canada Wood Group recently donated two wood-frame school buildings to a rural community in Shanxi, China, which were constructed in Shanghai by students of the Canada Wood College and assembled onsite by the Shanghai-based Canada Wood technical team. Click here to read more

Ministry of Forests and Range Policy Change Interpretive Bulletins Interpretive bulletins are now available from the Ministry of Forests and Range regarding the implementation and functioning of policy and/or process changes affecting the forest industry. Bulletins are available on the Ministry's website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/InterpretiveBulletins/

Amendments to the Ministry of the Environment's Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation The BC Business Council recently sent a letter to the Ministry of the Environment in support of the comments submitted by interested member organizations in the forest and pulp and paper industries on proposed amendments to the 'Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation'. Click here to read the Business Council's letter

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

Industry Promotes Climate Benefits of Forest Products The BC forestry industry and Premier Gordon Campbell announced a new initiative today that will raise global awareness around the critical role B.C. forest products can play in the fight against climate change. For more information visit: www.gov.bc.ca or download the news release and backgrounder here Download News Release (PDF, 2 pages, 52 KB) Download Backgrounder (PDF, 2 pages, 52 KB)

Canada, B.C. Send China $8M for Recovery, Reconstruction British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a two-phase $8-million project to provide temporary and permanent wood-frame buildings to help survivors of the recent earthquake in China. For more information visit: www.gov.bc.ca or download the news release here

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

Premier Commits $25M for Forest Health and Marketing Premier Gordon Campbell announced almost $25 million for reforestation, forest health initiatives and marketing of B.C.'s forest products today at the Council of Forest Industries annual meeting. For more information visit: www.gov.bc.ca or download the news release and backgrounders here : Download News Release (PDF, 2 pages, 32 KB) Download Backgrounders (PDF, 2 pages, 52 MB)

Premier Announces New Forestry Measures In his address at the 65th Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention, Premier Gordon Campbell announced new strategic measures to help provide support for the coastal forest industry. For more information visit: www.gov.bc.ca or download the News Release here

2008 Wood Design and Awards Competition The Wood WORKS! BC Wood Awards have been established to honour excellence in wood-based construction projects, and to recognize the people and organizations that are pioneering and preserving the use of wood in British Columbia. For more information on the competition, judging and awards gala, visit: www.wood-works.org

PricewaterhouseCoopers 21st Annual Global Forest and Paper Industry Conference – May 8, 2008 Challenging times, winning strategies. Learn how leading CEO's, senior executives, analysts, customers and suppliers are addressing emerging trends and seizing new opportunities in this dynamic industry. For more information visit: www.pwc.com/forestconf08

Coast Forest Products Association Economic Impact Report This report summarizes the financial results and economic impact of the Coastal British Columbia forest products companies listed in Appendix B, for the years ending 2006, 2005 and 2004. Download Report (PDF, 18 pages, 672 KB)

Coastal Forest Action Plan The Coastal Forest Action Plan, released by the Ministry of Forests and Range on October 29th, outlines government and industry initiatives to strengthen the coastal forest industry. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/coastalplan/

Future of Forestry Forum Forestry executives and Vancouver Island mayors gather on September 11 at the Oceanfront Grand Resort & Marina in Cowichan Bay for a briefing session on the future of forestry on the coast, co-hosted by Coast Forest Products Association and Forestry Innovation Investment.

State of BC’s Forests The 2006 State of British Columbia’s Forests provides statistical information about the condition and management of B.C.’s forests, and their support of the province’s economy and communities. The report also provides the ministry’s assessment of the sustainability of B.C.’s forests. The report can be found on the Ministry of Forests and Range website at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/sof/

B.C. Coast Strategic Options: Current Business, Future Opportunities and Outlook to the Year 2020 Over the last 50 or more years, the majority of coastal B.C.'s lumber and panel products production has been exported to major global lumber markets.... Download Executive Summary (PDF, 2 pages, 128 KB) Download Market Study (PDF, 181 pages, 1.2 MB)

Softwood Lumber Products Notice This Notice is to provide information to active or potential exporters of Softwood Lumber Products to the United States....

Canada Revenue Agency Notice to Softwood Lumber Products Exporters Canada Revenue Agency has posted the Calculation of Export Price Notice on its softwood lumber Important Notices page. Click below for details.

NDS Promoting New Design Values New design values for Yellow Cedar and Coast Sitka Spruce have now been published in an errata to the American Wood Council’s 2005 Edition of its National Design Specification (NDS)....

Coast Forest Products Association Economic Impact This report summarizes the financial results and economic impact for the five Coastal British Columbia forest products producers listed in Appendix B for the years ending 2004 and 2005....

New Hemlock Product Designed to Win Back Japanese Market Share The F330-E120 is a stronger kiln-dried hemlock product, designed to regain market share in Japan and ready to take on Europe’s engineered wood products with its high-performance rating....