Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

PNG’s group says forest sector guidelines must be addressed

Posted at 20:24 on 21 August, 2009 UTC

Papua New Guinea’s Eco-Forestry Forum says moves to change the log-exporting focus of the country’s forest sector are admirable but that the need for compliance with new guidelines must still be addressed.

The National Forest Authority has presented the final draft of the National Forest Development Guidelines report to key stakeholders this week.

The report, which stems from a review of the 1993 National Forest Guidelines, has called for all new allocations of PNG natural forest permits issued will be for 100 per cent downstream processing from next year.

The Forum’s, Thomas Paka, says the new plan for downstreaming on allocations has potential to help forest conservation and should create much-needed jobs for local people.

“At least they are making a statr in recognising some of the important issues but still the issues we have raised are sustainable forest management in terms of compliance, in terms of enforcement. These are issues that are still outstanding and until and unless these issues are addressed, the guidelines are (just) guidelines.”

Thomas Paka.