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FSC Canada: new sustainable forestry standards nearly ready

A new standard for sustainable forestry in Canada is almost ready to come into effect, says the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Canadian chapter.

The Policy and Standards Committee of FSC International has conditionally approved the national Forests Management Standard put forth by FSC Canada in September 2018. Among the chief highlights of the updated standard are new rules to protect woodland caribou populations and more opportunities for dialogue with Indigenous groups.

The new standards are likely to have an effect on practices for forestry and pulp and paper companies looking to be FSC certified, though final wording has yet to be released.

Now, FSC Canada must address a few outstanding concerns before the standard is fully approved, likely over the next two months, the organization says.

Fifty million hectares of forest are FSC-certified in Canada, while the remaining 120 million certified hectares are through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Canadian Standards Association.