Bainbridge Island, WA -- (SBWire) -- 10/25/2011 --Forestry Research Associates (FRA) along with the forestry industry of Canada, says it is looking forward to the release of the Jenkins Panel report, which is a new innovation in the sector.

Two major industry bodies, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and FPInnovations, claim they are anticipating the release of the report and are looking forward to working alongside the government to improve forestry innovation and research and development. FRA, an analysis and research consultancy specialising in sustainable forestry, has also announced its support for the report’s release as it could help promote investment in the industry.

The forestry industry in Canada feels that more federal support for innovation would be a positive step for the sector and that the publication of the Jenkins Panel report will help to open up discussion on this. The President of FPAC, Avrim Lazar, explained, “The Canadian forest products industry is in the midst of re-inventing itself.

"Government has already used smart spending to help us improve our environmental performance, develop and deploy new ideas and technologies and create a future-oriented, diversified industry.” He then concluded: “It is imperative to continue this R&D partnership so we can create a next generation forest products sector in Canada."

The industry wants the government to continue to support innovation projects and increase investment in other areas of research and development. “Attracting investment to the forestry industry from both public and private sources is imperative to the future sustainability of the industry,” explained FRA’s analyst, Peter Collins.

He outlined projects in Brazil, being carried out by firms like Greenwood Management, where investment cash is being used to develop plantations of non-native trees to help supply the local steel industry with charcoal while protecting native forests. He added that the future of the Canadian forestry industry is vital to the region’s economy.