A federal task force announced earlier this month will attempt to save Canada’s stricken forest industry from further decline through product and market diversification. While the support will no doubt be welcomed by the industry, in BC the more immediate need is access to timber. Canada’s forestry sector has been pummeled by a one-two punch of low lumber prices, and US duties on softwood lumber. The situation is particularly dire in BC where an integrated industry of lumber, remanufacturing, pulp and pellet mills has been collapsing like a row of dominos. …The industry is in crisis, a number of speakers said at the Truck Loggers Association convention. …Policies introduced by the NDP government have contributed to driving up the cost of harvesting. …At last week’s BC Resources Forum, Premier David Eby said his government is working to increase markets for B.C. wood products there, as well as China.