Resolute Temporarily Loses Eco-Certification

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) this week revoked three certifications for forestry giant Resolute Forest Products, Montreal, Que., the largest industrial logging company in Canada.  According to Greenpeace, the company lost its certification in Quebec and Ontario due to several problems, including a lack of consent from the Crees nations and failure to safeguard high priority conservation areas. 

"Suspension of these Resolute certificates is exactly the kind of action needed to boost trust in FSC, the world's only credible forest certification scheme," wrote Grant Rosoman, forest campaigner with Greenpeace and a former FSC board member. 

The loss of certification, which occurred after an audit by the Rainforest Alliance, an FSC partner, impacts Resolute's operations in boreal forests in the regions of Lac St-Jean (Quebec) and Black Spruce-Dog River Matawin (Ontario). In all, Resolute's operations in these regions cover 6.7 million hectares, an area larger than Sri Lanka. Beginning January 1, Resolute will no longer be able to label their products from these forests with the FSC logo. 

"We are pleased that when put to the test, FSC International stood by its principles regarding Aboriginal Peoples," said Bill Namagoose, executive director for the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee). "We hope the Crees efforts on this challenge bring added credibility to the FSC brand and ensure that governments and companies respect the agreements they have made with First Nations." 

Resolute's Communications Director, Xavier Van Chau, said that the loss of certifications was only "temporary" and the company planned to "address" the issue within a few months." He noted that such temporary suspensions are common, and that the company didn't expect the revoked FSC certification to impact its operations