Forestry South Africa (FSA) has released the 2019 edition and third revision of the Environmental Guidelines for Commercial Forestry Plantations in South Africa.
The 2019 edition of the Environmental Guidelines for Commercial Forestry Plantations in South Africa is now available. Image credit: Forestry South Africa
The document is aimed at the commercial forestry and timber sector as a whole – from large corporate growers to small-scale growers, with the latest revision including a new chapter on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon tax as well as the latest international principles on ethical wildlife control.
Michael Peter, FSA executive director, explains why the sector requires such guidelines, “All industries that use or depend on natural resources impact the environment to some extent and the forestry industry is no different. Responsible industries should seek to mitigate the effects or impacts of our decisions, activities, products and services on the environment.”
The guidelines provide information on the certification schemes available to local growers following on from the South African Forestry Assurance Scheme’s endorsement by the global Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in 2018.
Click here to download the Environmental Guidelines for Commercial Forestry Plantations in South Africa for free.
