The release said the FPA recognises and is committed to the importance of sustainable forest management (SFM) which, it understands, addresses the social, environmental and economic aspects of forestry practices.

However, the FPA contended that, often times, the latter is overlooked, though it has a direct impact on the social and even the environmental features.

“Our goal and vision is to achieve this quality of practice but the enabling environment must be established and maintained. This necessitates a participatory forest management approach, whereby a medium that facilitates open, fearless and professional discussion is established.

“Resorting to mere theoretical approaches can prove to be counterproductive and detrimental for the survival and growth of this industry. All parties must remain open-minded and try to appreciate each other’s needs in order to better manage one of the nation’s most valuable resources,” the FPA advised.

The release said, in that context, the FPA will continue to seek Government’s intervention to review the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) management and regulation of the forestry sector, in light of the financial and market crisis.

The FPA is also hoping to soon engage Minister Persaud in discussion on areas where it can be given some immediate relief to cope with the prevailing challenges, the statement concluded.