FREDERICTON - New Brunswick is going to allow its forestry industry to harvest an additional 660,000 cubic metres of softwood a year.
Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud says the 20 per cent increase will bring the total to about 3.9 million cubic metres of spruce and fir.
He says that's enough to add 500 new jobs.
Robichaud and Premier David Alward unveiled the province's 10-year forestry strategy today in Fredericton.
Robichaud says the plan is expected to generate more than 1,200 construction jobs as 40 mills around the province begin to modernize.
He says the industry is at a crossroads and needs to be more competitive to survive.
The minister also says the government will increase the number of protected natural areas in the province, bringing the total area to 270,000 hectares.
But Liberal Leader Brian Gallant is concerned that planting and silviculture programs aren't sufficiently funded to keep pace with the higher harvest levels.
The province says it will maintain the annual hardwood harvest at 1.8 million cubic metres.
