…last such exercise was done in 1950s

THE sum of $120M has been set aside to commence a forest inventory to effectively manage the nation’s forestry resources.
The last inventory was done in the 1950’s, according to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) 2017 performance report. The report was provided to the media on Monday, at a press briefing at GFC multiplex building, Kingston Georgetown.

The report noted that the National Forestry Inventory will commence this year and conclude in 2020, as much-needed information on the forest stocking and species distribution are needed to positively influence the forest sector marketing and trade efforts.
Further, the report stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources is working with the GFC and its Board will look to create stronger platforms for encouraging value-added forest activities in 2018. “Amongst some of the immediate measures are increasing efficiency and productivity of wood processing operations and exploring the provision of incentives that can be provided to the wood-processing sector to enhance competitiveness,” the 2017 annual report added.

With effect from January 1, 2018 VAT charges are exempt for logs and rough lumber to the sawmilling industry, which would improve the cash flow of operators by at least G $80M as logs and rough sawn wood account for over 75 per cent of Guyana’s national production.
Over the past decade the forestry sector has contributed between US $40M – US $60M in export value. Meanwhile, on February 16, 2018 the GFC (GFC) presented the revised National Forest Policy Statement and Plan to stakeholders.

The comprehensive plan and policy statement were presented to stakeholders at the GFC multiplex, Kingston, for a final round of consultation before it is submitted to Cabinet. Minster of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman noted that the update was critical to meeting international obligations in the sector and the green state development strategy. “This strategy highlights the importance of forest in combating climate change, and also emphasises the ecological and environmental services to humanity and the promotion of sustainable energy services,” he said

The forest policy statement is intended to guide the forestry sector’s development for a 10-year period, GFC’s Commissioner James Singh explained. “It is negotiated and informed by a wide range of stakeholder interests guided by national priorities and development strategies,” he said.

The National Forest Plan is the schedule for the implementation of the policy and it outlines the programme activities and the agencies responsible for leading same, among other things. This updated forest policy and plan replaces the 2011 documents. Since then, new policies like the green economy, a push for more conservation by the President and change in standards, including the European Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (EU FLEGT) have necessitated the need for more relevant, useful and responsive policies and plans.

The review began last February with nationwide consultation led by The Consultancy Group (TCG) through funding from FLEGT facilitation support. Minister Trotman noted this round of input seeks to refine the completed revision.
Following the consultation, the documents will be presented to the Cabinet by Minister Trotman for approval and subsequently laid in the National Assembly.

At the end of 2017, Guyana officially signed onto the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU. Once Guyana begins FLEGT licensing, the products covered by the VPA will only be exported to the EU, accompanied by the EU’s FLEGT licenses attesting to their legality.

The EU’s FLEGT Action Plan was created in 2003 because of growing concern over the illegal logging of forests, particularly in the tropics. Guyana is one of nine countries that are currently in the FLEGT negotiation process, which uses a licensing system to ensure timber exported to the EU has been harvested in accordance with local laws.