Forest conservation group Canopy is withdrawing from the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA), the group announced this morning.
The CBFA was established in 2010 by nine environmental groups, the Forest Products Association of Canada and 19 member companies. Its objective was to protect Woodland caribou and the integrity of Boreal ecosystems.
Canopy, a not-for-profit organization, said that since the group was launched, “not one hectare of Canada’s Boreal forest has been protected.”
“The decision to leave the CBFA was not taken lightly,” said Canopy founder and executive director Nicole Rycroft. “We remain committed to collaborative solutions building and hope that by re-invigorating our markets work we can open the door to large-scale and timely conservation of the boreal forest.”
Susan Murray, CBFA executive director of public relations, said they are disappointed and surprised about Canopy’s move.
“We’re disappointed but we’re moving on,” said Murray. “The direction is not going to change.
“We’re still commited to anything that will achieve and improve conservation while supporting a vibrant forest industry, and we haven’t waivered from that commitment.”
When the CBFA was formed, the members established objectives for large-scale protection and forest practices. It also had the objective of positioning Canadian forest companies to take advantage of the growing green marketplace.
Canopy said that the members have not been able to agree on a single joint recommendation for protection, and that all target dates have been missed and shifted.
