GFC updates Linden stakeholders on Forest Law Enforcement Agreement

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) recently engaged small concession owners and other stakeholders of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), in an exercise intended to update the forestry sector in Guyana on the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Agreement.
During that engagement, which was hosted at the Watooka Complex, the stakeholders were treated to presentations delivered by Deputy Forest Commissioner Gavin Agard and Technical Officer of the FLEGT Secretariat, Ruslin Richards.
Richards in her address, noted that the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) is a key element of the European Union’s (EU’s) Forest Law and Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan. She explained that a VPA with the EU would facilitate increased market access for Guyana’s timber into the lucrative EU market, and she outlined requirements that would make stakeholders FLEGT compliant.
“We need to meet social, environmental and fiscal requirements which everybody is already familiar with but, truthfully, everybody isn’t up-to-date with. So some of the social requirements include ensuring that we meet those requirements set out by our labour laws, our occupational safety laws, and so on. Like wearing protective wear, paying at or above minimum wage, ensuring we are complying with NIS (National Insurance Scheme),” she told stakeholders.
Richards added that while many stakeholders are struggling to meet requirements, strides have been made, and the GFC is prepared to aid stakeholders in ensuring that they are compliant.
Deputy Forest Commissioner Gavin Agard updated the attendees on the progress of the National Forest Inventory. “A National Forest Inventory is a big undertaking, and it’s going to take at least four years (to be completed). We have started some preliminary works, and by the end of this year we will have a design, a methodology, a print-out showing where we plan to do the samples….. For the people in Kwakwani, one of the big areas where the inventory will take place is possibly Whykoken Concession,” he said.
This inventory, he said, would clearly indicate what tree species and diameter classes are available in each concession allotted. Agard pointed out that the Timber Grading Rules have been revised, and training will commence soon to update all GFC Officers and stakeholders.
He said Government has approved the realisation of a Consolidated Stockyard where logs and lumber will be purchased and resold at a fair price. However, talks are still ongoing in regard to how soon this will be implemented.
Outreaches similar to this one held in Linden were conducted during the week in areas such as Kwakwani and Ituni in Region 10; Anna Regina and Charity in Region Two; Bartica in Region Seven; Corriverton and Canje in Region Six; and Georgetown in Region Four.