Conservation

European timber buyers are demanding that Ghana's timber industry get third party certification for legal logging to meet new European standards. The UK Timber Trade Federation informed a meeting of Ghanaian timber producers that certification for legality would be a minimal requirement and certification for sustainability would be desirable. Similar meetings are to be held across Africa's tropical timber producing countries. Ghana's Forestry Commission is developing a log-tracking system to allow verification of legality.

It is clear that this kind of external pressure, supported by aid programs, is essential if illegal logging is to be halted. Europe, Japan, Australia and others will have to take the lead, since the US government is hostile to any moves to control illegal logging.

The Forestry Commission has announced plans to replace non-native trees in England's forests with native species. The intent is to restore the forests to something resembling the forests of 100 years ago, and to make forests more attractive for wildife and recreation. Up to 20 million trees will be removed over a 20 year period. Reduction of conifer shade should allow native species to reproduce, though enrichment planting will also be funded.  Up to 30% of England's forests consist of ancient woodlands, stands over 400 years old, but which include lots of non-native conifers. The government had encouraged establishment of conifer plantations which today account for 15% of England's forests. Ironically, the government had paid for establishment of the conifer plantations that it is now paying to remove.