Canadian logging

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 8

Canadian logging

Sir,—As a British Columbian, I must agree with Mr Martin Haase (“The Press” March 16). Fletcher Challenge’s activities in Canada are not only unpopular but shocking in face of their more responsible corporate attitude in New Zealand which recognises the value of native forests and indigenous peoples’ rights. F.C. Canada is despoiling the “clean and green” image Canadians have of New Zealand. I hope that New Zealanders will join Canadians in urging F.C. to stop its rape and plunder of foreign shores — why should it do overseas what it cannot and, more importantly, would not do at home? — Yours, etc., CAROLYN O’FALLON. March 18, 1989.

[The communications manager Fletcher Challenge, Ltd, Mr Bruce Wallace, replies: “As Fletcher Challenge Canada is one of the largest forest product companies in British Columbia, it is only natural that it features regularly in public debate on forestry in Canada. However, Fletcher Challenge Canada operates according to the same principles as Fletcher Challenge in New Zealand or elsewhere and enjoys an, excellent reputation as employer and concerned re-source-user. The forestry resource in British Columbia is structured in a different way to New Zealand as it is based almost wholly on mature stock because of the long growth cycle, at least 80 years on the coast. Right now there are no plantation forests equivalent to our radiata pine forests available for resource development in British Columbia. However, highly developed forest management and silviculture techniques are employed by Fletcher Challenge Canada, of which replanting is very much a part, with more than 9.3 M seedlings being planted in 1988. A similar concern for the aesthetic and environmental character of logging exists while there are strong economic arguments for clear felling of trees in certain areas. Similar clear-felling techniques are utilised in Canada as in plantation forests in New Zealand. Differences also occur in the history and character of the debate over the rights of native peoples between Canada and New Zealand. Again, the group believes solutions can only be found as the different arguments are considered within the coun-

try at issue. Canadians are best at resolving their conflicts, just as New Zealanders should seek the same objective.”]