By Alfie MacLeod (Cape Breton West – Deputy Speaker of PC Caucus):
SYDNEY RIVER, NS – Progressive Conservative Natural Resources critic Alfie MacLeod said the industry is still in the dark about how the NDP government plans to handle forestry management in Nova Scotia.
“It’s getting extremely frustrating for those who rely on natural resources as their livelihood to not know what the future holds,” said MacLeod. “Harvest time is being lost as the NDP continue to drag their feet on releasing the strategy.”
In May 2010, the government received a report, A Natural Balance, that was the starting point in the development of a broader natural resources strategy that was due by December 31, 2010.
Without knowing what government regulations will be, owners and operators are hesitant to implement forest management plans on their property, which is impacting their bottom line.
“It’s been 16 months in development but this government is still unable to offer woodlot owners and operations even the most basic answers,” said MacLeod. “I can appreciate taking an extra month to get it right but this is a massive delay that is costing the industry.”
The NDP have committed to a 50 per cent reduction in clear cutting however MacLeod says industry representatives are concerned that the definition of a clear cut is anything but clear.
“The government has put the cart before the horse when they announced the clear cutting policy before explaining what their definition of a clear cut is,” said MacLeod.
