FLEG in Belarus: taking stock and FLEG in Belarus: taking stock and looking forwardlooking forward

Elena Klochan and Alexei GrigorievElena Klochan and Alexei Grigoriev

BrusselsBrussels

January 17, 2011January 17, 2011

Taking stock (1)

Low level of illegal logging in Belarus: illegal timber appears Low level of illegal logging in Belarus: illegal timber appears as a result of deviations in timber measurement and as a result of deviations in timber measurement and assessment of logs qualityassessment of logs quality

Forestry sector management recognizes a need for Forestry sector management recognizes a need for improving forest sector management improving forest sector management

NPAC established and CWP finalized in 2009 and NPAC established and CWP finalized in 2009 and implementation started in early 2010 (MoF and FP play a implementation started in early 2010 (MoF and FP play a leading role) leading role)

Staffing changes in MoF in summer 2010, new FPStaffing changes in MoF in summer 2010, new FP

Disbursement as of June 2010: $80,000Disbursement as of June 2010: $80,000

New commitment as of Jan 2011:$49,000 New commitment as of Jan 2011:$49,000

Taking stock (2)Taking stock (2)

Trade in standing wood through Commodity Exchange Trade in standing wood through Commodity Exchange

Forestry policy unit set up in MoFForestry policy unit set up in MoF

Strengthened field supervision over implementation forest management Strengthened field supervision over implementation forest management projects; the special expert team is being established in RUE Belgosles projects; the special expert team is being established in RUE Belgosles

New Rules of Fire Safety in Forests came into force in November 2010 New Rules of Fire Safety in Forests came into force in November 2010

Effective 1 January 2011 timber logging and processing is not subject to Effective 1 January 2011 timber logging and processing is not subject to licensing licensing

Forest Staff Development Program (2011-2015): improving professional Forest Staff Development Program (2011-2015): improving professional and educational level of forest guard. Inter-Agency Public Advisory and educational level of forest guard. Inter-Agency Public Advisory Council on Forest Education to be establishedCouncil on Forest Education to be established

Basics of FLEG training course integrated in curricular Basics of FLEG training course integrated in curricular

Workshops covering the FLEG issues held for forest guard staffWorkshops covering the FLEG issues held for forest guard staff

Needs:Needs:

o Strategic Forestry Action Plan Development Strategic Forestry Action Plan Development

Looking forward: FLEG in Forestry Sector Looking forward: FLEG in Forestry Sector Development Program (2011-2015): Development Program (2011-2015):

Splitting off commercial activities (logging and timber processing) from Splitting off commercial activities (logging and timber processing) from forest management functions in six forestry enterprises forest management functions in six forestry enterprises

Continue forest certification through:Continue forest certification through:

certification of forest management under (i) Forest Certification System certification of forest management under (i) Forest Certification System of the National System of Conformity Attestation and (ii) FSC covering of the National System of Conformity Attestation and (ii) FSC covering at least 80% of MoF’s forests (July 2010: compliance with PEFC at least 80% of MoF’s forests (July 2010: compliance with PEFC Council requirements confirmed)Council requirements confirmed)

audit of the certified systems of forest management/forest products audit of the certified systems of forest management/forest products based on the principle of origin based on the principle of origin

alignment of forest product standards with EU requirements (terms and alignment of forest product standards with EU requirements (terms and definitions, size and volume estimation methods, quality-based definitions, size and volume estimation methods, quality-based classification)classification)

Improve the quality of forest inventoryImprove the quality of forest inventory

Enhance environmental sustainability of forestsEnhance environmental sustainability of forests

FLEG - it is not only about illegal logging

Sometime FLEG is presented as fight against illegal logging or corruption. These problems are important, but are not only parts of ENA-FLEG process

Quality of forest legislation and regulations - rights of local people and small business on legal usage of forests

Forest management system transparency

Poverty alleviation - resolve one of the main root reasons for illegal logging

Support positive initiatives of local people and small business for improvement of forest management in practice

Transparency via Internet

First round of inventory Internet sites run by Ministry of forestry republic of Belarus organizations and enterprises show needs for serious improvements. In May 2010 most State forest enterprises don't had Internet sites or pages.

Second round (December 2010) show very serious changes at least, as concern quantity. 85 from 95 existing State forest enterprises already have Internet sites or pages. More than 100 from approximately 1000 Forest Ranger Districts also have Internet pages.

On next stage of work ENPI-FLEG in close collaboration with Ministry of forestry will implement serious measures (monitoring, trainings, advisory) for improvement of information content.

Transparency and accountability -

Annual review - Forest condition and usage of Belarus forest - 2009

Annual review "Forest condition and usage of Belarus forest - 2009" was prepared, partly printed, distributed and available via Internet http://www.belwood.by/Obzor_dlya_interneta.pdf

It was a first case, when such type document was prepared by experts from independent body - the largest Belarus business NGO Republic Forest Industry Association (more than 70 companies and business structures).

Annual Review was developed in consultation with all important stakeholders and went through peer reviewing process.

December 2010 Annual Review was presented to Minister of forestry Mr. Amelyanovich, which show interest to this document and express readiness for more close collaboration in preparation, printing and distribution of Annual review 2010.

Positive initiatives - wetlands management (1)Positive initiatives - wetlands management (1)

Wetlands cover Wetlands cover big part of big part of Belarus and Belarus and occupy more occupy more than 2 mln than 2 mln hectares. hectares.

In the past big In the past big part of wetlands part of wetlands was drained.was drained.

It created It created problems with problems with fires, negatively fires, negatively affected affected traditional traditional usage of usage of wetlands wetlands resourcesresources

Positive initiatives - wetlands management (2)Positive initiatives - wetlands management (2)

Cranberry is very important source of local food and source of income for local population.

Annual cranberry gathering on large wetlands give local people total income in some millions of euro (for example - on Yelnya which cover - 20.000 hectares)

It is reason, why local people support activities for rewetting of wetlands

Positive initiatives - wetlands management (3)Positive initiatives - wetlands management (3)

In 2002 Yelnya was very heavy (70%) affected by forest fires

Local people and activists from enviro NGO APB took active part in rewetting Yelnya, using most simple, but very efficient technologies. In extremely hot summer 2010 Yelnya don't have any major forest fire.

In last years in Belarus more than 30.000 hectares of formerly drained bogs were rewetted.

Positive initiatives - agroecotourism development (1)Positive initiatives - agroecotourism development (1)

Belarus have excellent conditions for agro and ecotourism.

State supported agroecotourism and created very friendly conditions for private activity in this sector. As result more than 1300 private agrotourism manors were established.

Positive initiatives - agroecotourism development (2)Positive initiatives - agroecotourism development (2)

There is need for better integration of private agrotourism, capacities of State forest enterprises, environmental NGOs, all stakeholders.

Obvious is need for develop "green routes" propose modern environmentally friendly transport, strengthen cooperation

ENPI-FLEG in Belarus actively work in this direction

NEEDS for future FLEG:NEEDS for future FLEG:

Strategic Forestry Action Plan DevelopmentStrategic Forestry Action Plan Development

Collaboration for implementation of EU Regulation Collaboration for implementation of EU Regulation Regulation (EU) № 995/2010 of the European Parliament Regulation (EU) № 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010and of the Council of 20 October 2010

Support market oriented reforms in Belarus forest sector

Move information transparency of Belarus forest sector, especially in Internet, to the best World practice

Support positive local initiatives for legal usage of forests by local people and small business as tool for poverty alleviation and alternative to the illegal logging

Thank you!Thank you!