Patrick Moore wrote I do not believe that the rent (stumpage) has a direct impact on the value of the forest ecosystem. Rents are usually determined by the market value, not the other way around. The reason stumpage rates are being reduced in British Columbia is because they are so high that companies cannot make a profit in the market. British Columbia has among the world's most efficient sawmilling infrastructure, so the problem is not one of economic inefficiency. My contention is that the international market price SHOULD be allowed to dictate the stumpage - not government policy. I disagree with you when you contend that stumpage does not have an impact on the value of the ecosystem. Two examples perhaps illustrate the point - both in southern hemisphere Podocarp forests. Rimu used to be sold on stump in New Zealand for the high price of $7.00 per cubic metre - up until the mid 80s. What were the results of this? An emphasis of production of volume of value in the bush, with very little regard for the integrity of the residual ecosystem that produced this "rubbish". Similarly, the millers had conversions of c. 45% for logs with diameters of sometimes over 1.4 metres, cutting for volume throughput and not investing in any equipment to improve the value (what was the point). On the other extreme is stinkwood in South Africa - another podocarp growing in a sensitive ecosystem. I recall reading in the Commonwealth Forestry Review notes to the effect that the value of the timber was so high that individual trees were monitored, and the method of extraction involved expensive logging methods - including crown removal before felling and horse extraction as I recall. In the latter example the ecosystem was treated as being highly valued BECAUSE it produced something of high value. The relationship is DIRECT Patrick. In addition, sawmillers ALWAYS claim they are efficient. There is a natural tension between them and the foresters whose concern is the forest. Patrick wrote: "With regard to the ban on export of raw logs from public lands in BC, I agree with you, this tends to favour BC mills and to protect BC employment. This is a social policy, not an economic one. Do you think BC should allow unrestricted sales of raw logs from public lands?" I believe the evidence is that export bans decrease the value of the ecosystems by reducing the value of the logs. If the priority is the forest's integrity then I believe exporting bans are counterproductive to that end. This, of course, is not an advocacy for unrestricted logging from public lands. That would only open them up to those trying to maximise their present net worth by mining the resource and, once finished, moving on to the noble art of drift netting. Chris J K Perley Chris Perley and Associates Forestry and Natural Resource Consultants PO Box 7116 Dunedin New Zealand Ph +64 3 453 4948 Fax +64 3 453 4945 Mob +64 25 880 977 e-mail: chris@perleyandassoc.co.nz "Think like a mountain" Aldo Leopold
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