(Article From Parade -- April 27,2008)

Independent Research Finds FSC to be Most Effective Certification Option for Sustainable Forest Management STANDARDS ON GMOs AND PLANTATIONS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT

New research conducted by Montreal-based management consultants ÉEM Inc. and released this month by environmental publishing advocates Markets Initiative shows FSC to be the most effective certification system for achieving sustainable forest management in Canada.

Unlike the other certification systems, namely CSA, SFI and PEFC, FSC is the only one that prohibits the use of genetically modified trees, prevents the conversion of natural forest to plantations and requires a precautionary approach to the management of areas with high conservation value.

"Forest certification schemes have competed for recognition in the market place for years, but this research clearly shows FSC as being the ideal choice when it comes to sustainability," said Nicole Rycroft, executive director of Vancouver-based Markets Initiative, which presented the top level findings at an industry conference in late September. "Given the growth of green markets in Canada and around the world, this research can serve as a clear guide for the increasing number of customers looking for environmental solutions."

More than 200 book, magazine and newspaper publishers in Canada have developed environmental purchasing polices with Markets Initiative. These policies aim to help safeguard ancient and endangered forests and give preference to papers with maximized recycled and agricultural residue content, and virgin fiber from FSC-certified forests. Because of the market demand created by these publishers, more than 50 new papers have been developed with ecological attributes and close to a million trees have been saved by publishers printing on Ancient Forest Friendly and eco-friendly papers. Building on this shift, in September, the Ontario government developed a paper purchasing policy that gives preference to recycled content and FSC virgin fiber.

"Being the only forest certification comparison that looks at the four North American schemes as they apply in Canada, we hope those in the private and public sectors will use it as a resource as they move forward with environmental paper initiatives," said Paul MacLean, President of ÉEM Inc.

ÉEM's findings also show the use of recycled content is paramount to any credible environmental solution.

ÉEM Inc. is a management consultancy offering leadership in sustainable business practices to a variety of industrial and institutional clients in Québec, across Canada and worldwide.

Markets Initiative works to protect the world's forests, biodiversity and climate by shifting the consumption patterns of industrial paper consumers to eco-friendly options. The organization works collaboratively throughout the entire paper supply chain.