Review of national forestry policy

Govt to review national forestry policy after export-of-logs debate
Saturday, November 18th 2006
Stabroek News

The Government says it will use the recent debate on the issues surrounding the export of logs to re-examine aspects of the national forestry policy, particularly the investment regime in the sector.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon in his post-cabinet media briefing yesterday said Cabinet noted the current focus of the media on forestry and particularly the views of special interest groups in the sector.

A number of letters appearing in this newspaper pointed out aberrations in the sector and noted that many companies were being granted licences to exploit the forests but returns to Guyana were paltry.

The letters pointed out, too, that many companies were being allowed concessions in the forests to create employment and to benefit Guyanese but not many of them were carrying out this mandate. A call was also made for the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Forestry Commission to do their jobs to ensure that these companies adhere to the laws regulating the sector.

Dr. Luncheon said Cabinet was provided with the essentials of the current policy being implemented by the regulatory body and its differential impact on the various sub-sectors in the industry.

As a result Luncheon said the forestry commission was urged to publicly and within the special interest grouping in the sector to justify its implementation of the policies and those aspects which were being questioned.

He noted, too, that the commission needs to continue its consultative role among stakeholders and advise the Minister of Agriculture accordingly.