Lumber dealers must comply with GFC standards or risk losing licence -Agri Minister

http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56529133

Lumber dealers must comply with GFC standards or risk losing licence -
Agri minister
Stabroek News,
Thursday, September 20th 2007

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) on
Tuesday advised operators of lumber yards, lumber dealers and saw
millers to ensure that their operations comply with the law or risk
denial of licences next year.

Minister Robert Persaud sounded the warning to the group of wood
operators that they needed to heed the standards of the industry as
regard the quality of their products. He said that the new regulations
were to have been enforced since January but were put off for one year
to ensure that the operators had had enough time to put their affairs
in order.

The GFC had stated in its notice to the public that participation in
the workshop was "compulsory." But Persaud had said that he wanted it
to be a participatory process where both the regulatory agencies and
the sawmill operators come to an understanding of what is required. The
requirements relate to the cutting of lumber and other aspects of
labelling and quality control. Operators will also be expected to
reduce wastage and invest in modern machinery to make their operations
more efficient. Persaud also advised them that it should be made
mandatory that their workers wear safety gear while at work. Two
similar workshops are planned for Berbice and Essequibo, he said.

Persaud also said that both the ministry and the GFC will be conducting
random checks on the premises of saw millers and lumber dealers and
those found in non-compliance will have to face the consequences. He
also said that no company enjoys any 'favourite' status with either
agency.