Langley – The BC Wood Specialties Group was pleased with the announcement regarding BC Government’s amendments to the Manufactured Forest Products Regulations, implementing further restrictions on raw lumber exports throughout British Columbia. John Gillis, Chair of the BC Wood Board of Directors says, “This expanded regulation will create more opportunities for manufacturing a diverse range of higher value-wood products, creating more good paying jobs for British Columbians across the province”.
Brian Hawrysh, BC Wood’s CEO is an active member on BC’s Value-Added Wood Coalition. “I applaud the BC Government for working with a number of industry groups, including BC Wood, as well as forest industry representatives from across the province to increase the supply of raw materials to BC’s value-added wood products sector. The Government has worked with us to find the solutions needed to add more value at home by restricting the export of logs and minimally processed lumber”. Hawrysh says that “Our plan is to continue to work closely with the government on rolling out and implementing the new regulations, to the betterment of the entire value-chain in the province”.
Previously, the Manufactured Forest Products Regulations only restricted the export of raw Western Red Cedar and Cypress lumber from the coastal region. Like log exports, raw lumber exports are restricted through the payment of a fee-in-lieu. When raw lumber is further processed in BC, the tax, (replicating the softwood lumber duty) is reduced to zero depending upon the level of value improvement during manufacturing. As of February 1, 2024, the Manufactured Forest Products Regulations will apply throughout the province, providing incentives for the forest industry to further manufacture raw lumber into higher value-added wood products such as doors, moldings, engineered panels, siding and furniture. More about the provincial regulatory changes can be found at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023FOR0067-001843.
About BC Wood
Established in 1989 as a partnership between industry and government, BC Wood has been assisting businesses in the value-added wood products sector by providing market intelligence and assistance with collaborative market development activities around the world. With the combined support of the provincial government and industry, BC Wood assists small and medium sized manufacturers (SME’s) to increase sales by expanding existing markets and entering new ones.
BC Wood is an industry-led association with a Board of Directors that represents the eight primary sectors that make up the value-added added wood products industry: Engineered Wood Products, Cabinetry, Log Home & Timberframe, Furniture, Millwork, Pre-fabricated Buildings, Remanufactured Products, and Specialty Products.
For further information please contact:
Brian Hawrysh
CEO
BC Wood
604-882-7100