IFIA catalyst for forest certification in the Congo Basin and in West Africa

L’objectif de IFIA est de certifier, à travers l’action volontaire de ses membres, 10 M ha de forêts dans le Bassin du Congo d’ici 2012, pour en faire le premier massif forestier certifié dans le Monde, devant le Bassin de l’Amazonie.
Sans attendre, les entreprises forestières devront toutes obtenir un certificat de légalité des bois (de type OLB, TLTV…) d’ici fin 2009.

IFIA’s objective is to certify, through the voluntary action of its members, 10 Mha of forest in the Congo Basin by 2012, to make it the world’s greatest certified forest area, before the Amazon Basin.
Already, forestry operators will all have to obtain a legal timber trade certification (e.g., OLB, TLTV, etc.) by 2009.

This ambitious objective will be achieved through:

• Legal forest productions: IFIA supports FLEGT. The FLEGT action plan is thus placed at the centre of a broader approach that is not restricted just to ensuring legality and traceability, but must lead to sustainable management.
• IFIA also supports the setting up of legislation in Europe to sanction companies that trade in illegally produced timber.
• The promotion of sustainable forest management to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity and ensure the welfare of local populations.
• The generalisation of the forest certification process (FSC and PEFC).
• Tax incentives that are stable and linked to business economics. IFIA ensures a permanent dialogue and makes constructive proposals to African governments and their advisers.
• Skilling: IFIA is initiating a regional programme for the training of technicians such as prospectors, fellers, machinery operators, and factory technicians such as sharpeners sawers, stackers, drier operators, etc. with the help of investors. This includes, for example, RIL (Reduced Impact Logging) training for forestry operators in Cameroon, Congo, CAR and DRC, and lately in Ghana. These low impact forestry methods make better use of resources and help conserve the forest’s fauna and flora.
• Local industrialisation with added value: like the RACEWOOD programme – one in 2004 (Gabon), the other in 2006 (Ghana) – these meetings have made it possible to set up financial, technical and commercial partnerships between tropical timber processing companies and European operators.

With stronger private sector trade associations in the Congo Basin and West Africa, IFIA’s objectives should facilitate the implementation of sustainable management policy.