SOLOMON Islands is racing against time to get local sawn timber producers to get their sawmilling practice certified by mid-2024 and if it fails to do so by the given deadline, it will lose its current niche markets.
That’s the warning issued by the Minister of Forestry and Research (MoFR), Dickson Mua, when addressing forest multi-stakeholders at a recent discussion in Honiara. The discussion was geared towards drawing a roadmap towards meeting the deadline for timber certification and legality checks to qualify for the international timber market by mid-year 2024.
As such, Minister Mua urged the forest multi-stakeholders to collaborate in fast tracking ‘chain of custody’ requirements to fulfill international market certified standards, especially Australia and New Zealand.
A ‘chain of custody’ is a process that requires sawn timber producers to follow in order to trace produced timber from their original source, making sure they are sourced from an environmentally friendly and sustainably managed forest area.
Currently, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) together with PHAMA PLUS are working closely with the MoFR to facilitate work on the governance, value addition and trade of sawn timber.
Minister Mua said; “We must all know that we are currently exporting sawn timber to our niche timber markets in New Zealand and Australia, but such trade opportunity will come to an end in mid-year 2024.
“This is because both countries require Solomon Islands Timber exporters to export certified sawn timber beyond June 2024.”
Thus, the MoFR Minister recommended that all sawn timber producers to start working with the Solomon Islands Timber Producers and Export Association (SITPEA) and begin compliance if they have not started yet.
“I understand that there are a lot of interests from resource owners to participate in sawn timber productions and currently a lot are operating under Value Added Timber Association (VATA).
“VATA is a member of SITPEA and we should start looking into implementing the legal source conditions as expected by NEPCON, our current accredited Auditing Organisation.”
He added that group certification can be an answer to VATA members.
However, Minister Mua said this comes with some challenges but that does not mean that implementation would be difficult.
“It only demonstrates that there are works to be done if we are serious enough to improve sawn timber productions, compliance to changing market requirements and sales into niche certified timber markets,” he reiterated.
The MoFR Minister, meanwhile, acknowledged the on ongoing work done by some SITPEA members towards achieving full timber certification process as a demonstration that the country can move into achieving the ever-changing international timber market requirements and timber quality.
“I believe, such undertakings and compliances will change the landscape in the forestry industry and forestry sector when more requirements are required, especially in the sawn timber industry, but its good for the improvement of resource management and the practice of international recognised standards.”
Minister Mua thanked FAO and PHAMA Plus for taking on the initiative to help support the Solomon Islands Government through his ministry in making sure it follows through with the rightful processes.
“We are looking forward to continue collaborating with FAO and PHAMA Plus in the development of our partnership and the roadmap to enhance the awareness about the changing market requirements and promote sustainability and the legality of the forest resource.
“We are also looking forward to new initiatives and exchange of information on forest science technology and capacity-building for the development of downstream projects in the country.
“Moreso to the participating stakeholders and interested organisations who have seen the importance of this partnership for the benefit of our people, this new and timely partnership demonstrates the interests, support and the very initiative towards building a more resilient and sustainable forest resource in our country.
“This partnership will surely help us address the challenges we continue to face in managing our forest resources and achieve a more sustainable future for our people while combating climate change,” he emphasised.
A field trip to a local sawn mill operation was also conducted to ensure first-hand observation by the visiting FAO and PHAMA Plus international officers.
– MoFR
