‘Code of practice’ will ensure Guyana’s conformity with a world class forestry sector practices
- Minister Persaud

In ensuring conformation to international standards as it relates to forestry practices and as Guyana continues in its drive to mitigate the effects of climate change, a workshop to review the code of practice for timber harvesting and non timber forest products was today conducted.
            The forum which was held under the auspices of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at its Multiplex Building, Kingston, dealt with the traditional and non-traditional forestry products such as nibbi, kuffa and maincole palm. It is also in keeping with activities for Agriculture Month.
            Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, who also has responsibility for forestry, in delivering the feature address, pointed out that oftentimes there are perceptions that whenever there are efforts to have a code of practice, that it was the commission, and by extension Government’s intention to exert more control over the forestry sector.
            Instead, he noted that the initiative is to place Guyana in conformity with the socio-economic practices of a world-class forestry sector that will develop and evolve relevant policies and guidelines, making the sector more sustainable and economically viable.

Attendees during workshop to review the code of practice for timber harvesting and non timber forest products at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at its Multiplex Building, Kingston

            “When we talk about forest, we are talking about a range of produce and services both at the primary level and certainly at the value added level. So the notion when we are talking about forest we are only talking about trees is certainly an old fashion and outmoded understanding of what the forest is,” Minister Persaud added.
            Minister Persaud however, indicated that if the sector is to move ahead, then the institutional arrangements and guidelines the commission is seeking to implement, must be assured.
            While speaking on the Forest Bill that was enacted in 2009, Minister Persaud said that apart from the fact that it predates some of the practices that were being carried out, the aim in the final analysis was that Guyana must have a sector that is competitive and viable.
            He noted that if there are no guarantees that Guyana’s timber resources extracted are done in a sustainable way and through a legal verification system; then the products cannot be sold on the international market.
            “The efforts that we are making are intended to ensure that we satisfy those requirements and at the same time we continue to be compatible with national and international requirements. It is not for us to make life difficult for people both in timber and non-timber forestry resources,” he said.
            The initiative is an attempt to have a second revision of the code of practice as it relates to timber harvesting. The first came into effect in 1998 and to date, a number of consultations was held by the GFC, to solicit the views of stakeholders, since it was necessary for the guidelines to be updated.
            While noting that increased emphasis was placed on the code of practice for non-timber resources, he said that exports for the commodity for 2010 have seen an increase from the latter.
            In addition, Minister Persaud said that while furniture and craft exports have been stable, over 7000 pieces of nibbi and kuffa were exported for last year hence, it is important for increased emphasis to be placed on non-timber resources.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addressing the gathering during workshop to review the code of practice for timber harvesting and non timber forest products at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at its Multiplex Building, Kingston

            As such, more impetus will be placed on value-added to ensure that more economic activities are done, if the economy is to receive maximum value for its timber resources.
            The GFC will also be placing attention on new areas such as processing.
            Meanwhile, GFC’s Deputy Commissioner Jagdesh Singh, said that the code of practice for timber harvesting was produced in 1994 after a thorough review process and became operational on a voluntary basis in October 1998; with the FAO model code of practice for forest harvesting and the national code of logging practice forming the basic framework for the first edition.
            Based on new information the first edition was extensively reviewed and revised in 2001.
            The code also contains practices and set standards which have been developed based on ongoing research and practical experience both locally and internationally over an eight year period. It also contains guidelines and planning requirements on forest operations, construction works for logging, logging operations, post harvest activities, operational hygiene and waste management, health and safety and social issues.
           Over the year, the Administration has been working assiduously in the protection of its rainforest for climate change mitigation reasons.