Promise Kept: FPAC Members Solidify Global Leadership in Sustainable Forestry Certification
February 07 2007, Montreal, PQ
—Members responsible for nearly 80% of Canada’s forestry certifications—
In January 2002, the member companies of the Forest Products Association of Canada’s (FPAC) undertook an ambitious commitment, the only one of its kind by a national forest products trade association in the world. FPAC members committed to certify all of their forestry operations to one of three major internationally recognized 3rd-party sustainable forest management (SFM) standards by the end of 2006. Certification imposes rigour and goals and intensifies the focus on continual improvement. FPAC is pleased to announce that it has achieved its goal and that all FPAC forestlands under the January 2002 commitment have been certified.
“Concern for the state of the world’s natural resources and the environment in general has never been more focused,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC. “People want to know that the forests are being regenerated, that wildlife habitats are being protected, and that forest biodiversity is respected and maintained. This is yet one more commitment by FPAC members that will provide their customers with the assurance that they are buying products from the most sustainable of sources.”
“Over the past five years, FPAC and its members have demonstrated world-class leadership in responding to these concerns,” continued Lazar. “FPAC members now account for almost 80% of the certified forestland in Canada.” Of the world’s forests that have been certified, Canada accounts for more than half of the certifications recognized by the global Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) and almost one-quarter of FSC certifications.
FPAC is the only trade association in the world with this type of a commitment regarding 3rd-party SFM certification as a condi¬tion of membership. As of December 2006, Canada boasted 124 million hectares 3rd-party certified to Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). FPAC members were responsible for 96 million hectares.
SFM certification acts as a catalyst for conservation research and for the development of improved community relations. FPAC’s certification commitment has brought about a rapid growth in SFM certification in Canada. Testament to this growth is that one month before the FPAC commitment, 17 million hect¬ares were certified in Canada, and just 5 years later, the number has increased 7 fold, to 124 million hectares.
To read about FPAC members’ sustainability commitments please refer to the FPAC Sustainability Report on the FPAC website at: http://www.fpac.ca.
FPAC is the voice of Canada’s wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs. Canada’s forest industry represents 3% of Canada’s GDP and exports over $40 billion of wood, pulp and paper annually. The industry is one of Canada’s largest employers, operating in hundreds of Canadian communities and providing nearly 900,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country.
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For more information, contact:
Isabelle Des Chênes
Director, Communications
Forest Products Association of Canada
(613) 563-1441 ext: 323
ideschenes@fpac.ca
