EU FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT GOVERNANCE AND … · EU FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT GOVERNANCE AND TRADE ... The presentation focused heavily on the critical control points at ... It is important

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EU FOREST LAW

ENFORCEMENT

GOVERNANCE AND TRADE

Stakeholder Consultation Sessions on Guyana EU

FLEGT

Consolidated Report

Draft Report

FLEGT Secretariat

Guyana Forestry Commission

Prepared: February 22, 2017

This project has been funded with support from the Department For International Development

(DFID).

This communication reflects the views only of the author. DFID cannot be held responsible for any

use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Summary of the Report

The Guyana Forestry Commission in collaboration with the National Technical Working Group

(NTWG) embarked on a National Round of consultation. This round of consultation was aimed at

having focussed discussions especially as it relates to Annex: V, the Timber Legality Assurance

System, and Annex II: the Legality Definition and Annex VIII: Support Measures. The areas to be

consulted were selected on needs assessment basis.

The NTWG after careful perusal and discussion of comments from previous areas consulted chose

the following areas; Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Orealla, Moraikobai, Coomacka and Malali,

Rockstone, Aishalton, Lethem, Great Falls, Annai, Toka, Karasabai, Surama, Aroaima, Hururu,

Kwakwani (UBFAPA), Kwakwani(KNRO), Muritario, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Bartica, Santa

Mission, Rupertee and Woweta Stakeholders made useful comments/recommendations/inputs for

further development of the VPA. These were appropriately noted and will be recorded into the

NTWG’s centralized database for stakeholders’ comments, the “Feedback Matrix”.

“Overview of FLEGT and General Update of the VPA process in Guyana”

It is extremely important that stakeholders understand the basic concepts so that they are able to make

meaningful contribution during discussions. The National Technical Working Group, recognized that

stakeholder feedback/input is hinged on their awareness of the EU FLEGT VPA, thus, this committee

has made significant strides to ensure that each consultation session starts with the presenter providing

a baseline understanding of what FLEGT is, what it seeks to achieve and Guyana’s involvement in

the VPA process since 2012.

This first presentation therefore sets the proverbial “stage” for all other discussion which follows.

Nevertheless, in order to provide this “baseline understanding”, for the first part of the presentation,

the presenter fostered discussions on the following;

a) The meaning of the acronym F.L.E.G.T V.P.A in relation to the EU FLEGT Action Plan, the

initiative and response to curb illegal logging. This was done especially for indigenous

communities.

b) The negative impacts of illegal logging and the EU’s move towards gradual reduction in the trade

of illegal timber and timber products.

c) The synergies between REDD+ and the EU-Guyana FLEGT VPA

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d) Addressing the issues of illegal logging; economic, social and environmental impacts through

FLEGT.

Having broadened the audience’s knowledge on the FLEGT through discussions on the points listed

above, the second part of the presentation focused more on Guyana’s progress to date and receiving

stakeholders’ comments from presentations. As part of the update, the following points were stated:-

a) The Guyana Forestry Commission being identified as the lead agency for the process and its

involvement in the development of the VPA.

b) The formation of the National Technical Working Group (NTWG), an outline of its thirteen (13)

member agencies and a description of the group’s function in relation to advancing the VPA

process.

c) The formation of the FLEGT Secretariat, its composition and location, and its objectives.

d) Development of the Joint Roadmap and Key Milestones achieved thus far; status of development

of annexes (whether drafted or not), EU-Guyana Negotiations, Technical Meetings (Video

Conferences) and Technical Sessions (with the European Forest Institute).

e) Brief overview of all drafted annexes (Annex 1: Product Scope, Annex 2: Guyana Legality

Definition, Annex 3 - Conditions Governing the Release for Free Circulation in the Union of

Timber Products Exported from Guyana and Covered by a FLEGT Licence, Annex 4:

Requirements and Technical Specifications for FLEGT Licences, Annex 5: Guyana Timber

Legality Assurance System, Annex 6: Terms of Reference For Independent Audits, Annex 8:

Supporting Measures And Financial Mechanism, Annex 9: Criteria For Assessing The

Operationality Of Guyana’s Timber Legality Assurance System, Annex 10 – Public Access to

information on the FLEGT Licensing Scheme, Annex 11: Joint Monitoring and Review

Committee.

f) Development and use of the Feedback Matrix to capture information received during consultation

and map changes in the Legality Definition by stakeholder input.

g) Next steps – Key Milestones to achieve in the coming months as stated in the Joint Roadmap

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“Guyana’s Wood Tracking System”

Recognizing that “Supply Chain Controls” is one of the five (5) main components of the Guyana

Timber Legality Assurance System, the need to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the importance,

structure and procedures of maintain traceability of timber and timber products throughout the supply

chain is ever present regardless if a stakeholder does not currently form part of the commercial supply

chain. This was based on the premise that some stakeholders, though not engaged in commercial trade

of timber in Guyana or do not export directly to the EU, have the potential to become part of the

commercial timber flows of the country as financial resources become readily available and the

demand for timber from Guyana increases. As a result, it was essential that stakeholders understand

beforehand the various requirements that must be met in order to transport and sell timber and timber

products both domestically and internationally.

To do this, a presentation on Guyana’s National Wood Tracking System was made, the presenter

commenced the presentation with the following questions;

a) What is a Wood Tracking System?

b) How does it work?

The presentation focused heavily on the critical control points at which wood-flow is monitored. The

critical points help to ensure the integrity of wood flow by maintaining legality of the produce through

a system of documentation and field verification exercises which all form the basis for a good system

of traceability. These critical control points were also discussed by drawing on the relevant indicators

of the Guyana Legality Definition so that their synergies within the Guyana Legality Assurance

System can be brought into perspective.

“The Guyana Legality Definition”

The LD is seen as the most fundamental element of the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance system

(Annex V-GTLAS).This Annex will have a significant impact on all stakeholders involved in the

commercial supply chain of timber to the European Union (EU). As previously mentioned, Annex II

seeks to answer the question; “What makes timber legal?” It focuses on the different FSO types.

Discussions were tailored for the audience present, that is, the relevant Legality Matrix as per FSO

type.

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Firstly, the structure of the Legality Definition with regards to Principles, Criteria, Indicators,

Verifiers and Legal References were all discussed to show the relationship between compliance and

verification of compliance.

During the discussion of any Legality matrix, emphasis was especially placed on the following areas:-

a) Guyana’s land allocation system

b) Land tenure and use rights

c) Verification of legal rights to harvest and trade

d) Social and Environmental requirements

Additionally, description of the Legality matrix focused on;

a) The FSOs’ compliance with Forest Operation Obligations

b) The FSOs’ legal rights to harvest and respecting of other parties legal use rights

c) The FSOs’ compliance with fiscal and social obligations

It is important to note that NIS played an integral role in this aspect of discussions. It was during

discussions that the NIS was given an opportunity to present and encourage discussions on the roles

and functions of the NIS. Stakeholders at the end of this presentation were encouraged to take the

opportunity to register if they hadn’t done so. They were also encouraged to visit the nearest office if

there were further inquiries and clarifications would be provided. It was made clear that future sessions

with all relevant agencies would take place.

Though the LD is in its seventh draft it was noteworthy to point out that this Annex is still to be

finalised and as such stakeholders have the opportunity to make further recommendations and/or

provide feedback through different channels on its content.

It was important to note that the Legality Definition is country specific, and is based on the National

Laws of Guyana, and that the requirements of the GLD are what the stakeholders agree to over the

duration of the VPA negotiation.

Apart from explaining the Legality Matrix, the presenter also took the opportunity to detail the

relevance of the Regulatory Framework which supplements the applicability of the Guyana Legality

Definition. All requirements of the GLD which must be met for each FSO must be met based on

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applicable National Laws. These applicable National Laws make-up the Regulatory Framework of

the EU – Guyana FLEGT VPA.

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Summary of Sessions

The FLEGT Secretariat commenced a National EU FLEGT consultation during Jan to Feb, 2017.

The team comprised members of the National Technical Working Group and the GFC who were

engaged in discussions with indigenous stakeholders and forest operators, some of whom included:

Sawmillers, Lumberyard dealers, Regional Democratic Councils reps as well as other state forest

operators (Miners and Agri Lease holders/farmers) within the various areas. The cluster based

approach was used in some cases and individual communities were consulted in others. Efforts

were made to have more direct contact with communities and groups who were directly involved

in commercial logging. Noteworthy is the fact that these sessions were aimed at not only explaining

the content of the Annexes, but given the extent of consultations carried out in the past four years,

to have the stakeholders highlight what were the main outstanding issues which needed to be

addressed. Because of this fact also, the time spent at each location was shorter than previous

sessions over the past years.

Schedule

The sessions were based on the 2017 EU FLEGT Consultation Schedule and the Joint Roadmap

for the VPA process. The table below depicts the summary of consultations held by team one.

Table 1: Depicting summary of the consultations

Date of Session Location Team members

30th January, 2017 Moruca

Basmatee Mohabeer

(FLEGT Secretariat), Paul

Bassoo (FPDMC),Theresa

Madray (FPDMC)

30th January, 2017 Rockstone

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT

Secretariat), Quintyn

Patrick (FLEGT

Secretariat), Laura Singh

(FPDMC)

31 January, 2017 Kwakwani (KNRO) Ruslin Richards, Romeico

Lanferman,

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1st Febrauary, 2017 Kwakwani (UBFAPA) Ruslin Richards, Romeico

Lanferman

1 February, 2017 Great Falls-58 Miles

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

1st February, 2017 Mabaruma

Basmatee Mohabeer



Madray (FPDMC),Kerry

Warde (NIS)

2nd Febrauary, 2017 Lethem Savannah Inn

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

2nd Febrauary, 2017 Annai (Bina Hill Institute)

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

3rd February, 2017 Aroaima

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

3rd February,2017 Port Kaituma

Basmatee Mohabeer



Madray (FPDMC),Kerry

Warde (NIS)

3rd February, 2017 Rupertee

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

3rd February, 2017 Woweta

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

4th February,2017 St. Cuthberts

Ruslin Richards (FLEGT

Secretariat), Romeico

Lanferman (FLEGT

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Secretariat), Orin

Vannooten (NIS)

4 February, 2017 Hururu



Lanferman (FLEGT

Secretariat)

6th February,2017 Orealla

Basmatee Mohabeer



Madray (FPDMC), Dane

Chesney (NIS)

6th February,2017 Muritario



Lanferman (FLEGT

Secretariat)

6th February,2017 Toka

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

8th February,2017 Morakobai

Basmatee Mohabeer



Madray (FPDMC), Dane

Chesney (NIS)

9th February,2017 Karasabai

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

13th February,2017 Coomacka

Basmatee Mohabeer



Madray (FPDMC)

13-02-2017 Aishalton

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

15th February, 2017 Surama

Sunil Gopaul (FLEGT


Patrick (FLEGT


(FPDMC)

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16th February, 2017 Santa Mission



Lanferman (FLEGT

Secretariat), Orin

Vannooten (NIS)

16th February, 2017 Mallali

Basmatee Mohabeer



Madray (FPDMC)

Total 24 3 teams

Additionally, GFC Forest Station Officers within the various cluster areas above attended the sessions and assisted in logistics.

Agenda

Each cluster based session was conducted over a one (1) day period (except for clusters located on

coastland) focusing on;

1) Providing a detailed overview and update of Guyana’s VPA process since formal negotiations

started in 2012.

2) Fostering discussions with regards to the 11 Annexes of the VPA, and more specifically,

gathering feedback on the following annexes;

a) Annex 1 - Product Scope

b) Annex II - Guyana Legality Definition (4th Draft)

c) Annex III - Conditions Governing the Release for Free Circulation in the Union of

Timber Products Exported from Guyana and Covered by a FLEGT License

d) Annex IV- Requirements and Technical Specifications for FLEGT Licenses

e) Annex VI - Terms of Reference for Independent Audit of the TLAS.

3) The Wood tracking System and improvements for tracking timber flow throughout the supply

chain were also presented and discussed. This included; accounting for imported/in-transit

timber, GPS co-ordinates and stock inventory for Agriculture Leases and Mining Permits.

4) On the final day of consultation, a small capacity enhancement session was carried out with

the participants to prepare them to conduct a Community Level FLEGT awareness sessions

within their respective villages/community associations. Participants were briefed on the

procedures for reporting feedback to the FLEGT Secretariat taking into consideration;

a) Recording feedback using the feedback matrix,

b) Accounting/budgeting,

c) General logistics preparation and

d) The use of the reporting template and FLEGT Information video to facilitate the meeting.

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Each participant was reimbursed for accommodation, cost of travel to attend the session, and a

subsistence allowance, all for the duration of the session attended.

Stakeholders made useful comments/recommendations/inputs for further development of the

VPA. These were duly noted and will be recorded into the NTWG’s centralized database for

stakeholders’ comments, the “Feedback Matrix”.

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Attendance

Date of Session Location Organization/Agency/Community Gender Total

Number of

Participants

Male Female

30th January, 2017 Moruca

Parakiese

34 25 59

Acqueo

Huradiah

Mora

Karaburi

Koko

Rincon

Cabora

Assakata

Warapoka

Waikiebi

Santa Cruz

Manawari

Waramuri

K.V.C.

K.F.P.A.

Kwebana

Kumaka

Wallaba

S.R.W.C.L.A.

Santa Rosa Island

Father’s Beach

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Seven Miles

Koko-Hutwari

Hamauri

S.C.S.L.A.

30th January, 2017 Rockstone Rockstone 8 10 18

31 January, 2017 Kwakwani (KNRO) Kwakwani (KNRO) 19 11 30

1st Febrauary, 2017 Kwakwani

(UBFAPA) Kwakwani (UBFAPA) 69 49 118

1 February, 2017 Great Falls-58 Miles Great Falls-58 Miles 14 11 25

1st February, 2017 Mabaruma

Hosororo Village

44 10 54

Wanaima

Barisina Barima

Kamwatta Village

Blackwater

Hotoquai

Sacred Heart

St. Anselms Community

Morawhanna

Hobedeia Village

Bumbury Hill

Arukamai Village

Aruwau River

Barimanobo

Wauna

WLA

St. Dominic’s

Waikeribri

Smith Creek

Barima Kariabo

Yarakita AVC

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Thomas Hill

Kumaka

Mabaruma Settlement

Whitewater Village

Imbotero Creek

Aruka River

NIS Mabaruma

Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs

2nd Febrauary, 2017 Lethem Savannah

Inn Lethem 30 9 39

2nd Febrauary, 2017 Annai (Bina Hill

Institute) Annai (Bina Hill Institute) 21 6 27

3rd February, 2017 Aroaima Aroaima 25 22 47

3rd February,2017 Port Kaituma

School Road

28 12 37

Canal Bank

Four Miles

Citrus Grove

Oronoque

Eclipse Falls Top

Sebai Village

RDC Councillor

Eight Miles

Mac Doom

M2

Fitzburg

Main Road

Quarry Top

Water Front

NIS Mabaruma

M2 P.K.F.P.A.

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3rd February,2017 St. Cuthberts St. Cuthberts 22 4 26

3rd February,2017 Rupertee Rupertee 11 8 3

3rd February,2017 Woweta Woweta 10 7 3

4 February, 2017 Hururu Hururu 10 15 25

6th February,2017 Orealla Orealla/Siparuta 22 4 26

6th February,2017 Muritario Muritario 15 13 28

6th February,2017 Toka Toka 21 8 29

8th February,2017 Morakobai Morakobai 18 17 35

9th February,2017 Karasabai Karasabai 21 10 31

13th February,2017 Coomacka Three Friends

5 13 18 Cookmacka

13-02-2017 Aishalton

Karaudarnau Village

20 5 25

Aishlaton Village

Sawariwau Village

Awarewaunau Village

Rupunau Village

Katoonarib Village

Shea Village

Marunanau

15th February, 2017 Surama Surama 7 12 19

16th February, 2017 Santa Mission Santa Mission 15 6 21

16th February, 2017 Mallali Mallali 33 3 36

Total 24 516 280 793

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Stakeholder Feedback Questions, Responses and Comments

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Conclusion

Since entering into formal negotiations with the EU in December 2012, Guyana has been making

significant strides to ensure that the EU – Guyana VPA process continues to advance, and that key

milestones established within the Joint Roadmap are achieved based on agreed timelines. Through

hard work, perseverance and commitment to the process, the NTWG and FLEGT Secretariat has

been maintaining this momentum and will continue to work steadfastly to improve trade relations

between Guyana and the EU for our timber and timber products.

The EU FLEGT program requires that all stakeholder groups be represented adequately throughout

the process, both at the local and international level. Recognizing this, the NTWG and FLEGT

Secretariat actively promotes wider stakeholder input/participation as testament to a successful

VPA. Every consultation session is structured in such a way that it endorses; transparency,

ownership of the process, Free Prior and Informed Consent, accountability, and fosters

collaboration. This helps to ensure that stakeholders have a fair and equal opportunity to voice

their concerns and issues with the surety that these concerns and issues will be discussed at the

relevant level so that progress can be a realistic goal.

FLEGT sessions are no longer seen as just forums to consult with stakeholders but have become

the premier platform for building stakeholders’ capacity on sustainable forest management and

National Laws in Guyana and to acknowledge FLEGTs’ support in this regard. This knowledge,

being transferred to key stakeholders groups therefore adds positively to the way different

stakeholders approach legality in Guyana, and further cements the concept of FLEGT and what it

seeks to achieve over a longer term.

Therefore, in conclusion, Guyana will continue its efforts in promoting FLEGT among the

different stakeholder groups; both private and public with the aim of having holistic development

of the VPA process through active stakeholder inclusion. The 6th round of Consultations for the

year Jan-Feb 217 for the following locations; Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Orealla,

Moraikobai, Coomacka and Malali, Rockstone, Aishalton, Lethem, Great Falls, Annai, Toka,

Karasabai, Surama, Aroaima, Hururu, Kwakwani (UBFAPA), Kwakwani (KNRO), Muritario, St.

Cuthbert’s Mission, Bartica, Santa Mission, Rupertee and Woweta has surely been a success with

regards to feedback.

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Next Steps

Publication of Consultation session report - After approval from the National Technical

Working Group, the report will be published. Reports will also be sent to communities.

Discussion at the National Technical Working Group Level – These discussions will

analyze the feedback received from stakeholders to inform future activities.

Follow-up with participants who had requested further information.

Table major concerns at the 5th EU – Guyana Negotiations

Deliverables to Stakeholders:

• Training of Directional Felling and have Manuals sent to Santa mission, Muritaro and

Hururu

• Inquire of the training for GPS for communities

• Inquire of record keeping training for the communities consulted on

• Send CDs of FLEGT discussions to the various forest station for stakeholders

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Pictures of Sessions

Moruca

Mabaruma

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Port Kaituma

Orealla

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Moraikobai

Cookmacka

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Malali

Kwakwani (UBFAPA)

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Kwakwani (KNRO)

Bartica

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Muritario

Santa Mission /Aratack

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Aishalton

Lethem

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Annai/Bina Hill

Hururu

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Karasabai

Rockstone

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Rupertee

Surama

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Woweta

St. Cuthbert’s Mission

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Toka

Greatfalls

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EU FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT GOVERNANCE AND … · EU FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT GOVERNANCE AND TRADE ... The presentation focused heavily on the critical control points at ... It is important