The shadow minister for forestry is calling on government to be fair and transparent when it comes to timber allotment in central Newfoundland.

Pleaman Forsey, the MHA for Exploits, says the little guys are being squeezed out by a few big players in areas 10, 11 and 12, known as the fiber basket of Newfoundland and Labrador.

MHA Forsey says the Liberal Government five years ago unlocked 280,000 cubic meters of fiber that was initially held by Abitibi.

He added that the bulk of the permits were then issued to three three major players outside the three zones in question.

He says denying access to the timber equates to denying opportunity.

He says people have ideas in mind but cannot seem to acquire the necessary permits.