I, as a logger, feel compelled to comment on the issue of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Firstly, the allegations in the print media accusing the LCDS and the agreement with Norway of curtailing production are far from the truth.

Firstly, under the sustainable forest management guideline it is clearly stated and known among loggers and stakeholders that the sustainable production limit is 1.2 million cubic metres annually.
According to statistics as recent as February 3, 2012, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) declared that our production was  just 400,000 cubic metres which is amazingly just one-third of our yearly production quota. It goes on to say that from 2008 – 2012 our production has never exceeded 500,000 cubic metres which is well below our sustainable limit.
As is evident in the same article, the LCDS has been honouring all its obligations (international) such as REDD, MRVS and the MOU with Norway.  Only recently the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) met with loggers and stakeholders and told them “they have to produce more.” Towards this end, new strategies were implemented,  including loggers having to fill out forms detailing their short, medium and long-term production target. The commission would be monitoring their production and performance against their plans.
Taking these facts into consideration, I, as a logger, find it very misleading and malicious the allegation that the LCDS is curtailing and impeding production in the forestry sector.

So come onboard Guyanese and stakeholders,  support a good initiative.