The Forest Products Association (FPA) and Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud met last Friday with the FPA raising issues of concern and the Minister promising to take action.

A joint statement said that senior executives and other members of the FPA met Persaud and the Commissioner of Forests of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at the Ministry’s boardroom. The meeting was a follow up on a commitment made by the Minister to have regular and constructive dialogue with the FPA on policy and operational matters of interest to the sector. Their last meeting was held in February.

The statement said that at Friday’s meeting, the FPA pointed to a number of issues that are affecting their operations including the renewal of Timber Sales Agreements, parts of the Code of Practice and the “10 meter rule”, among others. The FPA also listed a number of issues for future discussions. The statement said that Persaud responded and there was very intensive and comprehensive engagement. “At the end of the meeting the FPA expressed some satisfaction with decision(s) taken by the Minister to address areas of immediate concern. All parties however, agreed that some issues needed additional clarification and discussion so that timely action could be taken to address them”, the statement said.

It added that at the request of the FPA, the Minister confirmed that a meeting of the GFC Board of Directors and the FPA would take place in July and at regular intervals thereafter to allow dialogue, involvement and understanding of pertinent issues of the industry. Persaud also mandated the GFC to follow up on regular meetings between the FPA, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association and the GFC to improve their relationship through the Ministerial Committee which was established in 2007.

The statement said that all parties present reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership to further the positive development of the forestry sector in Guyana and the realization of its full potential.