In response to opposition expressed to the application of pesticides by Western Forest Products (WFP) on tree farm licence 39, block one in the Powell River region, WFP has provided the following comments.
Babita Khunkhun, senior director, communications, said that on some sites, vegetation control is essential to prevent competing or invasive vegetation from hindering the growth of planted trees.
“Vegetation control supports us in meeting our legal reforestation obligations, as well as our forest stewardship plan,” said Khunkhun.
She said the majority of vegetation management treatments utilized by Western are in the form of manual methods. Manual methods include girdling, manual brushing and weeding, mechanical brushing and weeding, and knockdown, she said.
“Pesticides are only used in circumstances where manual methods are not as effective, and are used selectively to treat individual competing trees or plants,” added Khunkhun. “In the past five years, herbicides have been applied selectively to less than one per cent of the total land base we manage. In addition, we do not conduct any aerial herbicide applications or applications within community watersheds.”
Khunkhun said WFP is committed to using pesticides in a responsible manner and has a number of measures in place to do so.
“Our employees are trained in the safe and proper planning, handling and application,” she said. “Our contractors are required to be licensed. A professional forester from Western carries out planning prior to work commencing as well as inspections to ensure the work is being carried out in a safe and responsible manner.”
Khunkhun said pesticide use is governed by the ministry of environment and climate change strategy. She added that Western’s pest management plan adheres to all relevant legislation, including the Integrated Pest Management Act, Integrated Pest Management Regulation, Pest Control Products Act, Forest and Range Practices Act and its regulations, including the Invasive Plant Regulation.
