In December, two BC groups, Conservation North, and the BC office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, visited Japan at the invitation of three Japanese environmental organizations concerned about BC pellet exports.
The visit occurred alongside the BC Ministry of Forests’ announcement of new export restrictions, which initially caused ambiguity around pellet exports. Clarification revealed that wood pellets, considered alternative energy, are considered manufactured and can still be exported.
These 1-2cm compressed wood fibre cylinders, primarily sourced from BC, are subject to increased scrutiny due to environmental considerations. The government’s trade mission, emphasizing BC products like pellets, coincided with the Japanese environmental groups’ initiative to discuss the environmental impact of wood fibre harvesting for pellets. Their intent is to potentially limit such exports.
Michelle Connolly from Conservative North provided insights, shedding light on the evolving impacts surrounding BC primary forest harvest and pellet exports.
