The Canadian sawmill group Canfor is poised to end production at its sawmill in Quesnel, British Columbia in March 2014. Canfor said that this decision was connected to very limited roundwood availability in the Quesnel region as a result of mountain pine beetle infestation, which was making it impossible to continue operating the sawmill. Canfor also agreed to exchange harvesting rights with West Fraser Mills Ltd. in reaction to the shortage of roundwood. Canfor will swap harvesting rights in the Quesnel region with West Fraser’s harvesting rights in the Morice region, both in British Columbia. This exchange will allow Canfor to supply enough roundwood to another group sawmill in Houston. By contrast, West Fraser will safeguard roundwood supply to its major sawmill in Quesnel.
