1. The province of New Brunswick pays for this herbicide spraying program, because they are the land owner not Irving, look into it. 2. The Jack Pine & Black Spruce replanting is the exclusive tree planted on those tracks in SE NB.
1. No, the province does not pay for the herbicide program, that's a fact. What they do allow is for private companies (not just Irving) to spray areas that are leased to control the growth. The only spraying he province has done in recent years is to suppress the budworm from breaking out again, also a fact.
2. Most of the land in SE NB is crown land, that is leased to companies for the purpose of producing forestry products, therefore, it is maintained as such. Sometimes this involves herbicide spraying, sometimes it does not. This is dependant on a number of factors.
What everyone from NB needs to understand is that herbicide spraying is a nessicity, not some evil, destroy the environment kill all wildlife venture. It's used as a measure of control. It suppresses more aggressive species from overtaking the profit species. This is done not only in forestry, but it's done in every potato, wheat, canola and pea producing field in the province. It helps to produce higher yields of the desired product, and in this topic, softwood. Yes, some sacrifices are made in terms of natural habitats, but they are not eliminated, just managed. Most people don't see this though, all they see is the 50 acres close to home that they use to be able to hunt is no longer plentiful, and they are to damn lazy to go out and look for a new spot, and would rather complain about how hard life is for them, and how bad they think it is for the environment. Eliminating the use of it would all but destroy the forestry industry in the province, as it is barely surviving as it is with strong competition from stateside. While I'm sure a few would like to see this, there are hundreds of jobs that would be affected, something everyone knows NB doesn't need. If you still don't like it, join the Green Party, they seem to be prospering ��
What would an Albertan know about what goes on in NB? I am from there, born and raised in the heart of the forestry and agricultural sector (northwestern). I was on the payroll at one time, but now have ventured to different pastures. I have learned the facts from working within, and have seen both sides of the story. Armed with this information, I make rationalized decisions based on fact, not fear mongering anti industry speculation.