Great Progress with PEFC Certification of New Zealand Forest Practices

It is time to celebrate in New Zealand as the first forests in the country achieve PEFC certification. Over 400,000 hectares of forest – about 20% of New Zealand’s plantation forest estate – are now PEFC-certified!

“It is really encouraging to see forest managers adopting PEFC on such a scale, so soon after we were able to bring it to New Zealand,” said NZFCA Chair, Dr. Andrew McEwen.

“The New Zealand forest and wood products sector relies heavily on exports with around 70% of production being exported. Increasingly their main markets, particularly Australia, North America and Asia, are demanding third party certification as proof of legality of harvest and quality of forest management.”

“Most of the countries New Zealand exports to are now PEFC members and recognize PEFC certification as meeting their import requirements.”

Progress set to continue

The three forestry companies to achieve PEFC certification are RMS Forests Ltd., (the former Wellington Regional Council forests), Hancock Forest Management NZ Ltd., and Timberlands Ltd.

Two more forest management companies are in the process to be certified.

In addition, 27 companies involved in forest products processing and other supply chain activities are PEFC Chain of Custody certified.

This is providing opportunities for New Zealand forest produce to participate in export markets that demand PEFC certification as a way of demonstrating legal and sustainable forest management.

read more/source: http://www.pefc.org/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/2394-great-progress-with-pefc-certification-of-new-zealand-forest-practices

Related Posts

Amazon Commits $10 Million to Restore and Conserve 4 Million Acres of Forest in the Appalachians and other U.S. Regions in Partnership with The Nature Conservancy

Amazon today announced a $10 million grant to conserve, restore, and support sustainable forestry, wildlife and nature-based solutions across the Appalachian Mountains, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy. Nature-based solutions refer to the sustainable management and use of nature for tackling challenges such as removing carbon from the atmosphere to slow climate change and helping maintain water and food security, biodiversity protection, human health, and disaster risk management. This funding will initially support projects in Pennsylvania and Vermont that will help family forest owners sequester carbon and support expansion across the Appalachians in a network of climate-resilient forests that scientists at The Nature Conservancy have identified as most able to thrive in the face of climate change. This is the first project from Amazon’s $100 millionRight Now Climate Fund, an initiative to remove carbon from the atmosphere through the restoration and conservation of forests, wetlands, grasslands and peatlands around the world. Last year, Amazon co-founded with Global Optimism and became the first signatory of The Climate Pledge – committing to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net zero carbon by 2040 through decarbonization of its operations and use of nature-based solutions.

UPM receives top scores in WWF UK Timber Scorecard

UPM receives a top score in the recently released WWF UK Timber Scorecard. The scorecard assesses more than 100 retailers, manufacturers and traders in the UK for their commitment and performance in responsible forest trade during the years 2013 – 2014. UPM was one of a small number of companies which received the highest score of 3. The scorecard looks at companies’ practices and policies in relation to sustainably sourced timber and timber products, against a backdrop of increasing deforestation. The top-performing companies are characterized by the clarity and simplicity with which they report their timber and timber product purchasing and performance.

New certification body BMC accredited against FSC standards

Assurance Services International (ASI) has accredited BMC Assurance S.L. to audit and issue FSC certificates. To receive the accreditation, BMC was evaluated by ASI and had demonstrated its ability to conduct impartial assessments to issue FSC certificates according to the established criteria. BMC will be able to audit and issue certificates for FSC chain of custody worldwide, excluding Belarus, China, and Russia.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search