Mozambique bans logging and export of six species of wood

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Mozambique bans logging and export of six species of wood

10:39 CAT | 10 Apr 2018

For illustration purposes only / Meceburi Forest, Mozambique.File photo: Courtesy of International Institute for Environment and Deveopment. Image: Mike Goldwater

The Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER) last week issued a ruling on the exploitation and export of endangered species of timber in Mozambique.

Since 29 March. the exploitation and collection of timber of Pterocarpus tinctorius, better (Nkula), Swartzia madagascariensis (ironwood), Combretum imberbe (Mondzo) is forbidden.

The export of Chanfuta, Umbila and Jambire will not be allowed, those three species being licensed only for the domestic market.

According to the new rules, the export of native species of wood will only be carried out by operators certified by MITADER, applicants having met specific criteria, such as the presentation of an annual export plan and compliance with established industry criteria.

Mozambique’s fourth National Forest Inventory recorded a reduction in stocks of Umbila, Jambire, Ironwoodo and Mondzo species, and indicated that “no commercial volumes” of Nkula were found.

The new order determines that stocks of the newly regulated wood will be collected and will revert to the State.

New exploitation and export limits

For the current year, MITADER has determined that the maximum volume of wood permitted for exploitation is set at 350,000 cubic metres, or half the volume already submitted by the end of the first quarter, and estimated at 600,000 thousand cubic metres.

Given the new limits, MITADER says that “only operators with a simple license and forest concession will be licensed, after the inspection of their equipment and the potential of the area, with the assistance of the central authorities”.

With regard to exports, the new regulation sets the maximum limit of lumber, semi-finished products and finished products at 436,000 thousand cubic metres for this year.

By William Mapote

Source: O País