Tembec is awarded FSC certification for nearly 3 million acres of forest

This is the first public forest in Quebec to be awarded certification under the rigorous Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards for Canadian boreal forests. Tembec received its certification from SmartWood, a Forest Stewardship Council accredited certifier, following an in-depth audit process that found that its forest management practices conformed to FSC’s rigorous standards for environmentally and socially responsible forestry practices.

The president and CEO of Forest Stewardship Council Canada, Antony Marcil, notes, “The only way Tembec could get this FSC certification was by demonstrating strong performance in meeting the standards for environmental protection, the recognition of Indigenous People’s rights, and social responsibility. And Tembec did just that in Forest Management Units 85-51 and 85-62”, said Mr. Marcil.

“Today is a very good day for Quebec’s forests,” said James Lopez, President of the Tembec Forest Products Group. “This is the first time that a large area of Quebec public forest has achieved FSC certification. Not only is this certification the most prestigious in the world, it is also the most difficult to achieve. Our goal is to have all our Canadian forestry operations FSC-certified. So far, we have achieved 42 per cent of this goal as 13 million acres have been certified. We are now proud to affix the FSC logo on Tembec products coming from this forest and other FSC-certified forests across Canada, showing our commitment to the health and survival of wildlife and the forest.”

In January 2001, Tembec and WWF-Canada signed an agreement to implement sustainable forest management practices that conformed to FSC standards. “Tembec’s certification means more consumers across North America can purchase FSC-certified products,” said Mike Russill, President and Chief executive Officer of WWF-Canada. “Greener choices in the store mean more wildlife conservation, more protected areas and more sustainable communities. Tembec is showing strong leadership, going above and beyond normal regulatory requirements to protect the environment and build positive relationships around forest stewardship. We congratulate them on this achievement and look forward to continuing to work with Tembec into the future to ensure that Canada’s forests are harvested in a responsible manner.”

Tembec has now achieved FSC certification for 13 million acres of forest land in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. The range of FSC-certified products offered by the Company is continually increasing and now includes lumber, hardwood flooring, newsprint, paperboard, Northern bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK pulp) and high-yield pulp. The FSC label enables Tembec customers to choose forest products with the confidence that they are contributing to preserving the world’s forests.

Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council is an international non-governmental organization that has developed the only forestry certification system recognized worldwide by indigenous peoples, environmental groups, labour movements and industry. The certification system requires consultation with all other forest users and interested parties and ensures an independent assessment of a company’s forest management practices.

Tembec is responsible for Forest Management Units 85-51 and 85-52 through a Timber Supply and Forest Management contract awarded by the Government of Quebec. These units cover close to three million acres to the north of La Sarre, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Located in the heart of the Canadian boreal forest this rich and fertile environment provides a healthy habitat for a variety of plants, animals and microorganisms. Black spruce predominates the area while mixed stands include balsam fir. Some hardwoods, such as white birch, aspen and, to a lesser extent, balsam poplar, also grow in this area. As well, an Aboriginal presence dating back some 5,000 years is still maintained today through the presence of the Algonquin Abitibiwinni community and the Cree Waskaganish community.

Photos of Forest Management Units 85-51 and 85-62 are available with the corresponding press release on Tembec’s website at www.tembec.com under Press Room.

Tembec is a leading integrated forest products company, well established in North America and France. With sales of approximately $4 billion and some 11,000 employees, it operates 50 market pulp, paper and wood-product manufacturing units, and produces chemicals from by-products of its pulping process. Tembec markets its products worldwide and has sales offices in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Korea, Japan, and Chile. The Company also manages 40 million acres of forest land in accordance with sustainable development principles and has committed to obtaining Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for all forests under its care by the end of 2005. Tembec’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TBC. Additional information is available at www.tembec.com

WWF-Canada is part of the WWF International network, the largest independent conservation organization in the world. WWF-Canada has been working with governments, the business sector and communities throughout Canada to carry out its mission, which is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world’s biological diversity; ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable; and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. For further information, visit the WWF web site at www.wwf.ca