Canadian sawnwood can continue to be exported to Australia through certification program

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Australia's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) have established a national certification program that ensures untreated Canadian sawnwood can continue to be exported to Australia. The establishment of the Canadian Untreated Sawnwood Certification Program is an important achievement for Canada as over CA$40 million worth of untreated sawnwood is exported to Australia annually.

The Canadian Untreated Sawn Wood Certification Program replaces the Canadian Accredited Timber Scheme (CATS), a voluntary pre-shipment inspection program that facilitated the entry of untreated Canadian sawnwood into Australia. Both Canada and Australia recognized the potential for the CATS program to be developed into an official export certification program to mitigate pest risk and ensure continued market access.

Registration in the Canadian Untreated Sawnwood Certification Program is mandatory and ensures that exports are compliant with Australia's phytosanitary import requirements.

The scientific research that supports this initiative was led by the CFIA, in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Forest Service, and supported by the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB) and Canada Wood.

The program will be delivered by accredited agencies under the oversight of CLSAB, a recognized CFIA verification body. The accredited agencies will be responsible for evaluating and auditingCanadian mills registered under the program to maintain ongoing compliance.

Lawrence MacAulay, Canada's Minister of Agriculture said:
"Our Government will continue to work with our international partners to expand global markets forCanada's forestry sector. Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to science and to investments in world leading technologies and processes that complements a broader federal strategy to help Canada's forest industry diversify markets."

Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, said:
"The Canadian industry sought and gained a predictable market access approach using an alternative service delivery and is confident with this approach that the market can increase from the current $41.9 million to $100 million annually."

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