Registry of Buyers Frequently Asked Questions


( Intended for general guidance only, not as an official interpretation of legislative or regulatory requirements )

Who should register?
Any business or individual who:

  1. An owner or operator of a wood processing facility in the province of NS that processes primary forest products for commercial use.
  2. Exports primary forest products from NS.
  3. Imports primary forest products to NS.
  4. Acquires more than 1000 m3 solid (454 cords) per year of primary forest products as a fuel.
  5. Acquires primary forest products for producing energy.

Who is not required to register?
This program does not include the production of Christmas trees, wreaths, boughs, remanufactured wood products or the purchase of firewood for personal household use less than 1000 m³(solid).



Who should submit an Annual Report?
Every Business or person who is a Registered Buyer must submit an Annual Report.



What type of information is collected?

  • Basic information on businesses (e.g. name, address, location) that meet above requirements.
  • Amount of primary forest products acquired within Nova Scotia.
  • Amount of primary forest products imported to or exported from Nova Scotia.
  • Product types recorded (e.g. pulpwood, sawlogs, and firewood) distinguished by hardwood or softwood.
  • Primary forest product acquisition by species, geographic origin, ownership of origin and destination.
  • Production information by volume and product.



What should registered buyers do to make the Registry effective?

  • Keep records up-to-date on the type and quantity of wood products acquired and manufactured.
  • Submit returns, on a confidential basis, of primary forest products acquired and the generation of secondary forest products.



What is the role of the Department of Natural Resources ?

  • Provides support to registered buyers in meeting requirements of regulations.
  • Maintains confidentiality of information provided by registered buyers in accordance with provincial legislation.
  • Ensures compliance with legislation.
  • Reports data and information to public, forest sector and registered buyers.



How is the information be used ?
The information will enable Natural Resources to produce reliable statistics:

  • to provide the public with a better understanding of wood demand and use in Nova Scotia,
  • to prepare reports and national documents such as a Compendium of Forestry Statistics, the State of the Forest Report on forest management in Nova Scotia.
  • to develop forest management policy and practice in Nova Scotia.



Who is responsible for the Registry of Buyers?
The registry and statistical returns regulations are administered by the Department of Natural Resources.



Will my competitor find out information about my business?
The basic information i.e. name, address, etc. is public information. Confidentiality of individual statistical information is protected according to provincial regulations and policy.

Why do I have to report?
The Registry of Buyers provides reliable data to help the public, business, and government understand wood demands and to estimate sustainable harvest levels. This will help determine long-term resource management needs and identify value-added opportunities for our forest products.



I only cut five cords of firewood and 2 mfbm sawlog off my forested land for personal use. Do I have to register?
No. You do not need to register primary forest products that are for personal use.



I have a portable mill and charge by the hour for services. Do I have to register?
Yes.



Do I have to report if I cut the wood off my own land to sell?
If you export wood or made it into a secondary product then you must report. If you sold this wood to another processor, you do NOT have to report.



My company has two mills but in different locations. Do I register as one mill?
No. Although the name may be the same, each site must be registered, therefore, each site will have a different registration number. The reason is that if your company sells one site, this site will get a new registration number and will not affect your other sites registration number.



If I did not acquire any primary forest product in the last calendar year, should I report?
Yes, if you are a registered buyer you would check NONE on form B, Statistical Return Part I, section number (35). Please keep in mind that if you had inventory carried over from a previous year and produced a secondary product, then you need to report this secondary product in Form B, Part VI.



Occasionally I sell firewood to friends and neighbours. Do I have to register?
Only if you acquire more than 1000 m3 solid (454 cords) of fuelwood in that calendar year.



I sold stumpage to a contractor who cut the wood and sold it to a sawmill in Nova Scotia. Who reports?
The sawmill reports.



Please summarize all the Forms and Parts.
Form A: REGISTERED BUYER REGISTRATION FORM
Information from this form identifies all of the registered buyers. This basic information describes the buyer and fix a position for the site and provide a contact person. It is public information except for primary forest product demand.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART I
Information from this form will be reported only in aggregate form and is confidential. This information describes the type of primary products acquired.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART II
Information from this form will be reported only in aggregate form and is confidential. This information deals with primary forest products acquired for USE in Nova Scotia.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART III
Information from this form will be reported in aggregate form and is confidential. This information deals with primary forest products acquired for EXPORT from Nova Scotia.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART IV
Information from this form will be reported in aggregate form and is confidential. This information deals with EXPORT of primary forest products from Nova Scotia.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART V
Information from this form will be reported in aggregate form and is confidential. This information deals with the export of primary forest products from Nova Scotia.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART VI
Information from this form will be reported in aggregate form and is confidential. This information deals with secondary products produced.

Form B: STATISTICAL RETURN PART VII
Information from this form will be reported in aggregate form and is confidential. This information deals with wood chips acquired and transferred.


I own a mill and cut off my own land. Do I have to register?
Yes.



Should I keep a copy of my completed registration and statistical forms?
Yes.



If I buy forested land or stumpage must I register?
No, standing trees are not considered a primary forest product.



I bought 500 mfbm in log form from a mill in New Brunswick and used it in my mill. Do I have to report this?
Yes, report as import.



When do I have to report by?
On or before February 28 of the following calendar year.



What kind of records do I have to keep?
You need to have available for inspection and examination by the Minister of Natural Resources appointee any records or documents required to confirm the information used in filling out forms.