An initiative designed to boost fast-growing high-yield tree plantations and intensive silviculture in Canada has received backing at the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM).

The Forest 2020 scheme calls for innovation and investments in plantations to significantly increase the country’s supply of wood fibre, while also contributing to forest ecosystem conservation.

CCFM chairman Tim Olive said: “Forest 2020 calls for deploying Canada’s advanced scientific knowledge to derive the complete range of economic, environmental and social benefits that can be generated by sustainable forest management, and that people now expect. Forest 2020 will reaffirm Canada’s leadership role as a world leader in forest stewardship.”

&#8220Forest 2020 calls for deploying Canada’s advanced scientific knowledge to derive the complete range of economic, environmental and social benefits that can be generated by sustainable forest management.”

CCFM chairman Tim Olive

Another development at CCFM, held in Halifax, was the formation of a committee of ministers to advance a plan to revamp the National Forest fire infrastructure.

Ministers also reviewed progress of the redevelopment of the National Forest Strategy, due to be unveiled at the National Forest Congress in Ottawa next May.