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forest certification in developing and transitioning countries
Figure 2
Estimated annual growth and harvest rate for selected species
4500
1000 cbm
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
annual growth
annual harvest
1000
500
0
Pine Spruce Birch Aspen
Source: EFSC 2003
Markets
One of the key players in the Estonian timber industry is the Estonian Forest
Industries Association (EMTL), a very strong voice in national discussions of forestry
and forest policy. EMTL’s main interest is to promote the economic growth of the
timber industry sector, and it therefore lobbies strongly for higher felling volumes. It
has vigorously opposed some restrictions enforced in state forests resulting from FSC
certification, such as establishing the “spring truce” (EMTL 2003). EMTL has also
strongly influenced the development of forest certification in Estonia, especially
regarding PEFC. Although EMTL’s attitude towards forest certification is generally
positive, it has most directly supported the PEFC program. EMTL has provided direct
financial support to the PEFC Working Group and its representatives have been
actively involved in developing PEFC standards (Talijärv 2004).
The timber industry is the second largest industry sector in Estonia after food
production, and accounted for 14 percent of the manufacturing sector’s total
production in 2002 (SOE 2002). Along with increased harvesting and a growing
industry in general, production volumes have risen steadily for all major timber
product groups (Figure 2).
yale school of forestry & environmental studies