Footprints in the forest - Fern

PEFC Germany
Information gathered by Rudolf Fenner, Robin Wood.
Text edited by Elisa Peter.
The answers to the questionnaire from PEFC Germany were integrated into the document
where indicated by the notes.
Summary of the main changes in PEFC Germany since 2001
Although a revision of the standard is scheduled for 2005, the glossary for the national
standard has been slightly modified to make some definitions clearer (Annex IV of the
standard) 97 .
At least two of the more detailed definitions in the glossary of the German standard
(Annex IV of the system description) which were made on January 16, 2003, are worth
mentioning because they are mentioned in the German case study (table 1) of Behind the
logo:
1. Table 1 – Use of Fertilizers
In 2001, it appeared that the use of fertilizers in Christmas tree plantations was allowed
in the PEFC standard. Today, the standard explicitly excludes Christmas tree plantations
or ornamental twigs plantations. Products from those areas are not allowed to be labeled
with the PEFC logo. This means that cuttings can take place and fertilizers and pesticides
can be used on these forest areas, but that the products (Christmas trees, etc.) can not be
sold as PEFC-certified products. In the German FSC-system Christmas tree plantations
are not excluded from certification; pesticides, fertilizers are not allowed.
2. Table 1 – Pesticide Use
Neither “expert advice” nor “last resort” were terms which were defined in the PEFC
standard as regards to the use of biocides in forest management. They are now more
defined: the certification expert must have a higher degree in forestry; he/she must give
his/her advice in a written form and he/she must state, that all other alternative biological
methods were tried and that there is no heavy risk for the forest stand.
It is also worth noting that summary assessment reports are now available on the web site
of PEFC Germany. Although NGOs claim that the reports only include general
information, it is one of the few instances where assessment reports are made publicly
available on a PEFC web site.
97
PEFC Germany www.pefc.de/system/leitlinien.htm , June 2003
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