Forestry and Wood Products

Forests are important to Canadians from an economic perspective regarding renewable resources and jobs to the increasingly important recreational and environmental values. Subsequently, sustainable uses of forests and their resources are essential to society.

These sectors require pest management strategies for the control of pests that cause damage, inhibit growth and/or destroy forests and woodlands. They also include trees found in municipalities (urban forestry).

The use of wood products in industry (i.e., hydro poles and railway ties), commercial and residential buildings require further pesticide protection.

Climate change, invasive alien species and fundamental new ways of managing forests all impact pest management practises. The need to improve the pest management toolbox (i.e. available pest control products and practices) has become an essential need for the industry.

To benefit the forestry and wood products sectors, Health Canada has dedicated staff that facilitates interactions among use sector associations, provincial and private pest management specialists, pesticide distributors, researchers, scientists, registrants and regulators to work towards reducing risks in pesticide use. The goal is to help pesticide users to better understand the regulatory system and best meet their pest control needs.

This work provides stakeholders with:

• an understanding of pest control product issues from the user perspective
• assistance in understanding the processes and requirements of the regulatory system
• facilitated interactions between users and registrants of pesticides to address pest control issues
• monitoring of regulatory decisions to identify and follow issues affecting the forestry and wood products industry to facilitate resolutions in their early stages
• assistance in identifying potential alternatives and reduced-risk pesticides inside and outside of Canada

The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency welcomes your questions or comments. Should you require further information please contact the Pest Management Information Service. If emailing, please specify "Forestry and Wood Products Sectors" in the subject line. If calling, please request to speak with the Forestry and Wood Products Facilitator.

Additional Resources

• Pesticide Product Application
• Programs and Initiatives
• Other Useful Tools

Related Resources

• The Sustainable Forest Management Network
• Canadian Forest Service
• Wood Preservation Canada
• Canadian Wood Preservation Association