Notice from Jim Snetsinger, Chief Forester - November 29, 2004

In accordance with requirements and authorities provided in section 169 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), section 43 of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, and section 32 of the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation, I have established a set of standards to regulate the use of tree seed in British Columbia.

These Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use will take effect on April 1, 2005 and apply to persons who use seed in establishing a free growing stand under FRPA.

These are the standards that I consider necessary and appropriate for registering, storing, selecting and transferring seed used for Crown land reforestation. Their purpose is to maintain the identity, adaptability, diversity and productivity of the provinces tree gene resources. They are based on stewardship principles and over forty years of research in forest genetics and tree seed management.

These standards represent an updated consolidation of the seed use requirements that existed under the Forest Practices Code, which included regulations, a guidebook and ministry policies. As such, this document serves to provide “one-stop shopping” for seed collectors, seed orchard and nursery managers, forestry professionals, licensees and ministry staff alike.

These standards were developed in conjunction with FRPA and its regulations by ministry staff in consultation with forest sector representatives over the past two years. Input was provided by licensees, members of the Forest Genetics Council of BC and its technical advisory committees, BC Tree Seed Dealers Association, and the Forest Nursery Association of BC. I am therefore confident that the policies and technical details contained in this document have been determined with appropriate consideration given to stakeholders' interests and concerns.

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all those that contributed to the development of these standards. In particular, I would like to thank the staff of Tree Improvement and Research Branches, Jack Woods, Forest Genetics Council, Annette van Niejenhuis, Western Forest Products, and Roberta Reader, LL.B., for the considerable time and effort that they put into drafting these standards.

The Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use can be viewed and downloaded from the Ministry of Forests' website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/code/cfstandards/

This site also a includes a link to Questions and Answers regarding the standards.

Training on these new standards will be offered early in 2005. Notice of the dates and locations for this training will be provided in the weeks ahead.

For further information regarding these standards, please refer to the above website or contact Brian Barber, RPF, Technical Advisor, Tree Improvement Branch, Ministry of Forests at: (250) 356-0888 or brian.barber@gems4.gov.bc.ca

Jim Snetsinger, RPF
Chief Forester
Ministry of Forests

November 29, 2004