All Bai Shan Lin produce should be declared illegal

DEAR EDITOR, I am familiar with the logging regime as administered by the GFC. I was once a small logger in the Upper Demerara area where I worked a State Forest Permission as well as my own private holdings which were contiguous. The GFC code of practice speaks to reduced impact logging, where foresters are bound by strict felling and culling regulations. If I remember well, it is four specified trees per hectare. From what I have seen in your recent pictures, Bai Shan Lin seems to be clear felling, a practice that was once the norm in Brazil and a few other places. To my mind this is contrary to international agreements which were signed a short while ago by the government. Perhaps we should be notifying the Forestry Stewardship Council in Scotland. All Bai Shan Lin produce should be declared illegal. My greater concern is, however, the wanton and malicious burning of culled logs of various exotic species, allegedly by the company in focus. You are aware, Editor, that if one maliciously burns down his dwelling he is liable to be charged before the courts with arson, whether his actions were for gain or otherwise. This foreign company owes our indigenous people vast sums of cash for work already done. They could have handed over the logs to the Toshaos in the various districts so that same could have been sold and sums thus realized used to compensate these hard working people. We need to press for the indictment of the officers and operatives of the company who were involved in this despicable act. Whoever brought in this company must be sent a signal message that enough is enough. Cyril Walker