Forestry sector urged to shape up by 2008

Forestry sector urged to shape up by 2008
Kaieteur News, 19 September 2007

Chairman of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), James Singh, along
with the Minister responsible for forestry in Guyana , Robert Persaud,
yesterday held the first of three consultation sessions with various
stakeholders in the industry to ensure acquiescence by 2008.

The workshop that was held at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA)
saw scores of stakeholders attending and was held under the theme,
‘Wood processing standards and procedures.'

Singh, in his opening address to the stakeholders, noted that the
consultation sessions are part of the efforts to raise the standards
and ensure compliance with guidelines.

Persaud told the gathering that the discussions were aimed at enhancing
the operations of the forestry sector to meet national requirements and
international obligations.

“If you don't put your operations in order the GFC will be compelled by
law to ensure that you do,” said Persaud.

He noted that under the recently amended forestry legislation GFC must
ensure that employment within the sector adheres to the Occupational
Health and Safety (OHS) standards

Too often there have been reports of non conformity. “In this regards I
have asked the GFC to work in tandem with the Ministry of Labour and in
the relevant areas the ministry of Amerindian Affairs to develop
generic contracts of employment that would be mandatory.”

He noted that under the OHS legislation all employers must ensure that
their employees are provided with adequate safety gear and ensure that
they conform to its use, “It is not a voluntary process.”

To that end the GFC along with the Ministry of Labour have commenced
random checks to ensure compliance. “If there are breaches we will take
the required action.”

Persaud also indicated that the services of the Guyana national Bureau
of Standards will be amplified up to ensure the provision of quality
products.

PRESENT SHORT

COMINGS IN

THE SECTOR

The Forestry Commissioner noted that were several shortcomings in the
forestry sector, including the use of primordial sawmilling machinery
with very few spare parts available resulting in a significant wastage.

He noted that a high percentage of sawn lumber produced for the local
market is done in a manner where there are few standard sizes with
little trimmed timber precision.

According to Singh there are low standards set by or for the local
market. “There is no standardisation of cutting or profile sizes with
little attention to standards.”

He also pointed out as an important deficiency in the sector, the
absence of drying of lumber. “There few kilns and little knowledge
about kilning and further industrialization...The wood is moulded and
dressed green”

According to Singh, there are few industrial plants of a reasonable
scale or size.

He noted that there was a lot of emphasis being placed on few species
of wood though other marketable species exist and is common practice in
other countries such as Brazil .

MANDATORY BY 2008

The GFC has mandated all relevant stakeholders in the industry to
ensure that by 2008 all lumber must be sawn with care so as to obtain
the nominal sizes when the moisture content is 20 per cent.

Sawing must be regular, for each dimension, over the whole of the piece
and edges must be parallel and perpendicular to the faces.

From 2008 the GFC will give preference to the licensing of sawmills and
processing facilities utilizing Band Sawing technology this is to
encourage the automation of local facilities.

Further, sawmills and sawpits must achieve a proposed recovery rate in
order to retain their license or for new facilities to be licensed.

In 2008 there will be a mandatory recovery rate of 50 percent; the
following year it will be increased ten percent and 2010 will see a
recovery rate of 70 per cent being mandatory.

In 2011 the mandatory recovery rate will jump to 75 per cent.

As a result of the stipulated recovery rates, chainsaw operations would
only be permitted to process lumber above four inches in thickness

The commissioner also informed the stakeholders that from 2008 the ends
of all sawn lumber must be waxed or sealed with an appropriate sealant
so as to prevent splitting and all wood must be stacked, under cover,
as quickly as possible, after coming off the saw.

The storage area must have a hard surface, be well drained, stable and
free from sawdust and any other wooden debris.

The date of stacking must be marked on each stack of lumber so as to
allow for adequate drying time.

Drying will be compulsory by all sawmills.