The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has come out swinging at civil society group, Article 13, for what it says is a misinformed, emotional and nonfactual call for the immediate ban on the exportation of logs.
The GFC in a statement said that Guyana exports below 20% of its actual log production with the remaining 80% going towards the local market for processing and use in the domestic economy. Additionally, the processed logs are also exported as finished and value-added products.
“This 80% is more than adequate given the current processing capacity in-country. The Government also has various protection measures for the local processing and value-added industry; for example, the tariff on imported pine and plywood was increased a few years ago to the maximum level of 40% and 45% respectively from the previous levels of 5%. This alone is a direct benefit and protection mechanism for the domestic manufactures and value-added, processing operators,” the GFC explained.
