MINISTER of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, said yesterday that several discussions about stemming illegal trade in Guyana’s forest products makes economic sense and facilitates compliance with market requirements.
“If we do not conduct sustainable forest practices and if we don’t ensure that we have the best system in place, we will see our markets disappearing. We do not want that to happen,” he warned.
Persaud was speaking during a meeting with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officials and consultants from that country in the Ministry’s boardroom at Regent and Vlissengen Roads, Georgetown.
The Americans, in collaboration with Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), will be facilitating more conversations in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Corriverton and Anna Regina during this week.
The sessions are aimed at addressing the implications of the U.S. Lacey Act for exports of local forest products.
The Lacey Act of 1900, more commonly called the Lacey Act, is a conservation law, introduced by Iowa Republican John F. Lacey, to protecting both plants and wildlife by creating civil and criminal penalties for a wide array of violations. Most notably, the legislation prohibits trade in wildlife, fish and plants that have been illegally acquired, transported or sold. It became effective with the signature of President William McKinley on May 25, 1900 and is still in effect, although amended several times.
The most recent amendment was on May 22, 2008, when the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 expanded its protection to a broader range of plants and plant products.
The target group for the continuing dialogue includes potential exporters, loggers, sawmillers and other timber dealers, as well as community representatives and the general public.
It is expected that the participants will be made aware of the process that has to be adhered to for compliance with the requirements of the Lacey Act; the details of legality and illegality of relevant standards and general information on violations, legal provisions for remedy and consequences of breaches, among other things.
Persaud said the intervention is important for managing forests and ensuring that harvesting of its products is done in a sustainable manner, while, simultaneously, discouraging any illegal activity.

Model

He explained that such opportunities are embraced because Guyana wants to present itself as a model to other countries.
“It fits in with our climate change fight. This is the direction in which we want to go,” Persaud said.
He added that, in this regard, several steps have been taken by the Ministry and the GFC and reasonable success has resulted.
Persaud said the value-added component and recovery of losses incurred during operations are issues also being considered and moves are being made to make transitions and engender change which, by extension, facilitates advancement in the sector and protects what is becoming known as the world’s lungs.
“There is much more work to be done,” he conceded.
Persaud acknowledged that there is pressure to have the forest used for other economic activities and the political will not to yield is strong.
“We will not diminish the forest,” he assured.
Persaud clarified that the USAID functionaries are not “cops” but, rather, are working with Guyana, based on an invitation from the Agriculture Ministry.
“This is a voluntary process which we have triggered with support from the USAID,” he said.
Geospatial analyst and Lacey Act Staff Officer in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mr. Gary Lougee said his country is not imposing laws on Guyana.
He explained their mission’s aim is to help enforce local laws but drawing the linkage to the Lacey Act.
“If it was harvested illegally in Guyana then it is illegal for it to come into the United States. That affects export,” Lougee said.
U.S. compliance specialist, Ms. Elizabeth Baldwin, emphasised the importance of the Lacey Act, pointing out that, apart from her country, the European Union (EU) recently passed a similar law and Japan and Canada are developing legislative frameworks.

Benefit

“The steps put in place here will not just benefit you in the U.S. but also other markets,” she said.
Baldwin observed that recognition of the requirements in the Lacey and similar acts are increasing and access to the international markets will be enhanced.
From a Private Sector point of view, she said the exercise of due diligence will see compliance being demanded.
In an invited comment, GFC Head of Planning and Development, Ms. Pradeepa Bholonauth, said the regional discourse is expected to also encourage stakeholders to visit their offices and enhance collaboration.
“The important thing is to keep the channels of communication open,” she said.
Mission Director, Ms. Carol Horning said this initiative is part of a larger programme being advanced by USAID but has been ongoing for a number of years.