Forestry sector to be 100 percent compliant by month-end …recommendations by stakeholders had to be reviewed

Forestry sector to be 100 percent compliant by month-end
…recommendations by stakeholders had to be reviewed
Kaieteur News, 19 January 2008

Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, says that recommendations for the
forestry sector (milling and lumber yards) shaping up by 2008 and
adhering to set guidelines have raised the need for a grace period but
there should be 100 per cent compliance by month-end.
The recommendations came out of the recent consultation sessions.
He indicated during an interview with Kaieteur News that a technical
committee was set up to review the recommendations from various
stakeholders and that the committee members concluded their sessions on
Tuesday. The concluded review will form the basis of the
implementations of the conditions and compliance.
“There had to be some compromise and January was identified as a grace
period to allow stakeholders to have their recommendations and concerns
addressed,” said Persaud.
He added that he thought it best to wait for the extra time so that
stakeholders could be fully on board.
“Once there is enforcement and monitoring, no one can come and say
that (he or she) was not given a fair hearing or that legitimate
concerns were not addressed.”
The new regularised guidelines and standards are aimed at raising the
national level for export on the international market as well as
ensuring maximum utilisation of forest resources.
The Guyana Forestry Commission will be working in tandem with the
Ministry of Labour and in the relevant areas, with the Ministry of
Amerindian Affairs, to develop generic contracts of employment that
would be mandatory. The services of the Guyana National Bureau of
Standards will also be amplified to ensure the provision of quality
products.
Currently, there are several shortcomings in the forestry sector.
These included the use of primordial sawmilling machinery with very few
spare parts available, resulting in a significant wastage.
Prior to the new guidelines, there was no standardisation of cutting
or profile sizes.
There are also few kilns in operation and little knowledge prevails
among the people in the industry.
In Guyana, there are relatively few industrial plants of a reasonable
scale or size.
In 2008 there will be a mandatory recovery rate of 50 percent; the
following year it will be increased by a further ten percent and 2010
will see a mandatory 70 per cent recovery rate. As a result of the
stipulated recovery rates, chainsaw operations would only be permitted
to process lumber above four inches in thickness.
During this year, also, the ends of all sawn lumber will have to be
waxed or sealed with an appropriate sealant so as to prevent splitting
and end checking from occurring and all wood must be stacked, under
cover, as quickly as possible, after coming off the saw.