Short of the FSC standard

As a member of the Canadian FSC working group which drafted the Maritime Region Standards for Best Forestry Practices, I wish to correct a number of serious inaccuracies in the May 28 article by Misty Edgecomb regarding the suspension of J.D. Irvings’ FSC certification.

Canadian Maritime standards have never banned “the introduction of exotic species or the use of herbicides”, as has been attributed to the Sierra Club’s Martin Von Mirbach. If Mr. Von Mirbach and Ms. Edgecomb were better informed, they would be aware the current Maritime criteria concerning biocide chemicals merely requires that landowners be “committed to using no biocides” at an unspecified time in the future and that landowners demonstrate the steps they intend to take to meet this commitment.

The Maritime Working Group believes this criteria is fully consistent with the objectives of the FSC International criteria 6.6, which requires that “management systems promote the development and adoption of non-chemical methods of pest management”. The International, Maritime and Northeast criteria allow landowners to use FSC approved biocides indefinitely, as long as landowners can show they are making sincere efforts to develop integrated management systems which reduce biocide dependence in the future.

Maritime criteria also do not “ban” the planting of exotic tree species, as claimed in the article. The Maritime and Northeast standards have virtually identical criteria covering the circumstances plantations can be established and for the use of exotic species.

In addition, both the Maritime and Northeast standards allow the conversion of natural forests to plantations with almost identical restrictions.

Claims by J.D. Irving personnel that a “double standard” exists and that Maritime standards are “more stringent” than those in the Northeast U.S. are being grossly exaggerated in order to conceal the company’s’ failure to comply with FSC international and regional criteria. In addition, Irving has failed to fully address a number of conditions attached to the Allagash certification.

J.D. Irving has consistently tried to exploit minor differences regarding regional priorities in order to divert attention from their exploitive management policies and inability to comply with corrective action requests resulting from FSC audits in May 2002.

These include concerns expressed by FSC that: “the long term forest management strategy of Irving Woodlands does not comply with FSC Criterion 6.6 regarding pesticides use for the next several decades”, and that the certifier (Scientific Certification Systems), “ensure that the company takes appropriate measures to reach the stated restoration goals, without creating a long lasting dependency on pesticide use.”

More recently, Irvings’ public campaign against Maine legislation that would give timber contractors collective bargaining rights and third party arbitration, seriously conflicts with current International and Northeast criteria which ensure workers rights to organize.

Clearly the company prefers the status quo, where it can cancel harvesting contracts at any time, for any reason.

A number of large companies in the Maritime region have already adopted forest management systems which conform with, or exceed current Maritime FSC standards. Nova Scotia’s Stora-Enso now manages over a million acres of forest without using herbicides, following ecologically based principles. However, Irvings’ theatrics and unrelenting pressure tactics have discouraged most from thus far seeking FSC certification.

It is most unfortunate J.D. Irving has again resorted to baseless criticism of the Maritime Standards Working Group in order to conceal the company’s consistent failure to meet rudimentary of FSC conditions and criteria.

Charles Restino has represented the Sierra Club of Canada and Nova Scotia regional environmental chamber groups on the Canadian Maritimes FSC Standards working group. He has worked as a logging contractor and researcher for environmental organizations.