Forestry legality assurance system report headed over to Agri Minister -- aims to boost forestry practices
Georgetown, GINA, October 10, 2011
Source - GINA
Over the past years the forestry sector has received a significant amount of international attention particularly as it relates to the initiation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation + (REDD+). This attention was further deepened today with the handing over of Guyana’s Legality Assurance System – a study conducted by the United States of America Embassy through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and addresses the enhancement of Guyana’s forestry industry to meet international standards.
The report outlines mechanisms for improvement to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and was received by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud at his Regent Street office today from US Ambassador, Brent Hardt.
Minister Persaud noted that the contribution by USAID is very valuable since it addresses areas including traditional agriculture, aquaculture, and more importantly support to the GFC.
“This type of study done on the legality assurance system is very necessary in the context of our LCDS, but moreso if we are going to have a viable forestry sector and be able to export into a target market because today buyers are very ‘choosey’ and they want to ensure that best forestry practices and forestry systems are in place so this certainly will aid efforts in terms of developing a competitive forestry sector,” he said.
Minister Persaud explained that the numerated areas of assistance have allowed Guyana to continue being one of the models that have been offered to the world in terms of how Guyana’s forestry should be operated and managed.
“So without the US support in this regard it would have been much more difficult, so much so that every assessment that has been done in recent times we have gotten glowing reviews,” the Minister stated. In this regard Minister Persaud made reference to the arrangement with the Government of Norway which has seen Guyana being able to satisfy all the required conditions, and has resulted in the funds being released.
Minister Persaud expressed his hope for the initiative to be of benefit to Guyanese in terms of facilitating development along a low-carbon path since this type of intervention, in the long term, allows the sector to continue providing economic opportunities for people who depend on forest and forestry products, and marketing of its eco-services.
With regards to mapping of the forests, Minister Persaud explained that such a system exists through the use of satellite imaging and it is a requirement that all concessions carry out a 100 percent inventory which identifies the species and where they are found.
Ambassador Hardt recognises that forestry has long been one of Guyana’s premier recognised international resources and is an emerging sector that has increasing importance particularly in light of the LCDS and REDD+, hence solid forestry management, practices and policies are indispensible to the future of the sector.
“Recognising this, the US Government through the USAID has sought to target special support to Guyana’s forestry products sector as one of four strategic sectors that we have been working with the government on to spur economic growth,” he said. The other strategic sectors are non-traditional agriculture, aqua-culture, and eco-tourism.
The development of Guyana’s wood products has received support through the Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) project and an agreement with the US Forestry Service in Washington DC.
“The review of Guyana’s legality assurance system is the latest reflection of this continuing trade investment support, and I certainly applaud the efforts of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Forestry Products and Marketing Development Council, Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the Forest Products Association, and others for taking this bold step to produce the legal assurance system,” Ambassador Hardt expressed.
The review was conducted by a United Kingdom firm and is designed to ensure that Guyana’s legal assurance system is compliant with international standards and best practices, and extensive consultations and input were provided both by private and public sector stakeholders to shape the final product.
Ambassador Hardt highlighted areas where the forestry commission has benefited including building staff capacity on geographic information systems, remote sensing, development of a national forestry inventory and monitoring verification system, developing local capacity to test the characteristics of different variety of wood for commercialization and participation in wood products trade fairs and conferences, such as the internal wood products association where Guyanese exporters have been exposed to some of the modern methods of harvesting, processing, distribution and the establishment of key linkages in international areas.
Work has also been done with forestry stakeholders in an effort to mitigate fires in fire prone communities.
“We have prepared Guyana’s wood exporters to compete in the US market by bringing experts to Guyana to help deal with our own legislation that prohibits trade in illegal timber, so this is a high bar to reach and we are keen to see more Guyana wood in the US,” he added.
Ambassador Hardt emphasised that these are some of examples that reflect the depth of the United States of America’s commitment to support the sound development and management of Guyana’s forestry industry.
Georgetown, GINA, October 10, 2011
Source - GINA
Over the past years the forestry sector has received a significant amount of international attention particularly as it relates to the initiation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation + (REDD+). This attention was further deepened today with the handing over of Guyana’s Legality Assurance System – a study conducted by the United States of America Embassy through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and addresses the enhancement of Guyana’s forestry industry to meet international standards.
The report outlines mechanisms for improvement to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and was received by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud at his Regent Street office today from US Ambassador, Brent Hardt.
Minister Persaud noted that the contribution by USAID is very valuable since it addresses areas including traditional agriculture, aquaculture, and more importantly support to the GFC.
“This type of study done on the legality assurance system is very necessary in the context of our LCDS, but moreso if we are going to have a viable forestry sector and be able to export into a target market because today buyers are very ‘choosey’ and they want to ensure that best forestry practices and forestry systems are in place so this certainly will aid efforts in terms of developing a competitive forestry sector,” he said.
Minister Persaud explained that the numerated areas of assistance have allowed Guyana to continue being one of the models that have been offered to the world in terms of how Guyana’s forestry should be operated and managed.
“So without the US support in this regard it would have been much more difficult, so much so that every assessment that has been done in recent times we have gotten glowing reviews,” the Minister stated. In this regard Minister Persaud made reference to the arrangement with the Government of Norway which has seen Guyana being able to satisfy all the required conditions, and has resulted in the funds being released.
Minister Persaud expressed his hope for the initiative to be of benefit to Guyanese in terms of facilitating development along a low-carbon path since this type of intervention, in the long term, allows the sector to continue providing economic opportunities for people who depend on forest and forestry products, and marketing of its eco-services.
With regards to mapping of the forests, Minister Persaud explained that such a system exists through the use of satellite imaging and it is a requirement that all concessions carry out a 100 percent inventory which identifies the species and where they are found.
Ambassador Hardt recognises that forestry has long been one of Guyana’s premier recognised international resources and is an emerging sector that has increasing importance particularly in light of the LCDS and REDD+, hence solid forestry management, practices and policies are indispensible to the future of the sector.
“Recognising this, the US Government through the USAID has sought to target special support to Guyana’s forestry products sector as one of four strategic sectors that we have been working with the government on to spur economic growth,” he said. The other strategic sectors are non-traditional agriculture, aqua-culture, and eco-tourism.
The development of Guyana’s wood products has received support through the Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) project and an agreement with the US Forestry Service in Washington DC.
“The review of Guyana’s legality assurance system is the latest reflection of this continuing trade investment support, and I certainly applaud the efforts of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Forestry Products and Marketing Development Council, Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the Forest Products Association, and others for taking this bold step to produce the legal assurance system,” Ambassador Hardt expressed.
The review was conducted by a United Kingdom firm and is designed to ensure that Guyana’s legal assurance system is compliant with international standards and best practices, and extensive consultations and input were provided both by private and public sector stakeholders to shape the final product.
Ambassador Hardt highlighted areas where the forestry commission has benefited including building staff capacity on geographic information systems, remote sensing, development of a national forestry inventory and monitoring verification system, developing local capacity to test the characteristics of different variety of wood for commercialization and participation in wood products trade fairs and conferences, such as the internal wood products association where Guyanese exporters have been exposed to some of the modern methods of harvesting, processing, distribution and the establishment of key linkages in international areas.
Work has also been done with forestry stakeholders in an effort to mitigate fires in fire prone communities.
“We have prepared Guyana’s wood exporters to compete in the US market by bringing experts to Guyana to help deal with our own legislation that prohibits trade in illegal timber, so this is a high bar to reach and we are keen to see more Guyana wood in the US,” he added.
Ambassador Hardt emphasised that these are some of examples that reflect the depth of the United States of America’s commitment to support the sound development and management of Guyana’s forestry industry.
