Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill tabled in the Legislature today the latest forest resource update report. This update provides a profile of forest change from 1994 to 1997 and presents useful and timely information about the commercial softwood resources, land use trends, harvest levels, softwood forest age structure and the sustainability of Prince Edward Island's forests.
According to the report, softwood harvest levels between 1994 and 1997 were double the level between 1990 and 1994 when the last forest update report was completed. Over the past three years, a total of 33,000 acres were harvested for forest products or converted to agriculture and other uses. The average softwood harvest during that time was 152,000 cords a year.
"The high level of the harvest is due to strong market prices for wood products which has created a positive economic situation for the forest sector," said Mr. Hammill.
The report also says that 8000 acres of forest and 2000 acres of cut-over were converted to agriculture over the three year period. It notes this conversion is balanced by the fact that abandoned agricultural land is still reverting back to forest cover in many parts of the province.
"Both the public and the people who derive their livelihood from the forest have expressed concerns about the future of Prince Edward Island's largest renewable resource," said the minister. "With this in mind, the report outlines two different scenarios with respect to the future of the resource."
Under the first scenario, no controls are placed on which stands are harvested or how they are harvested. Consultations with industry indicate that the annual harvest average could soon rise to 200,000 cords a year if market conditions remain strong. When higher harvest levels are combined with increased reliance on progressively poorer quality stands and young stands, and inadequate reforestation, the resource could face a bleak future.
The second scenario presents a much different prospect. Under this scenario, only mature or over-mature stands are harvested and harvests must be conducted in an appropriate manner. While a softwood supply gap does occur, it is only temporary. When the seedlings being planted today come into production, the forest industry could return to an annual harvest of 200,000 cords a year. This harvest would take place on a much smaller land base which would be greatly improved in quality and volume.
Mr. Hammill reiterated government's intention to introduce an amendment to the Forest Management Act during the current session of the Legislature in order to control harvest levels.
"The Island's forest sector is at a crossroads," said the minister. "It can be shortsighted and harvest all it can, or it can look to the future and produce a quality forest which will create stability now and increase wealth for future generations. I hope the forest resource update provides the information required to make the right decisions."