Role Of Government In The Forest Certification Process:Case Of The Republic Of Congo

This research is based on the intervention or the participation of the Government of the Republic of Congo in the process of forest certification. We have carried out an internship, which took place in two parts:firstly, at the Ministry of forest economy and sustainable development, then in a timber company (industry forest of Ouesso). We have methods to the collection of administrative data relating to the certification; investigations on the ground, as well as the participation in forums and workshops organized by the Ministry.Our field observations shows that most logging companies engaged in the process of forest certification in the basin Congo and Congo do so just because of the pressures of the international market and not for the sake of the environment.Congo has many favorable certification assets. The policy, legal, legislative and regulatory framework has been updated (law 16/2000 and its implementing rules). The political will is constantly reaffirmed and the participation of all stakeholders in the sustainable management of forests is required.The Forestry Code (law 004/74 dated January 4,1974) has transformed the Congolese forestry legislation. Considered at the time of its adoption as one of the most modern in Central Africa, it defines forestry developments, the annual maximum volume, the promotion of on-site processing, etc.Currently, the use of the forest is governed by Act No.16/2000 of 20 November 2000 on the forest code. It takes account, on the one hand the developments relating to the management of the forests and the conservation of the environment at the international level in recent years and another part in the new socio-political context of the Congo.History of certification in the Congo may be linked to the company "CongolaiseIndustrielle des Bois" (CIB) which, alone, has benefited from the Keurhout Foundation certification to the years 1998 and is the business driver for sustainable forest management.Since 2005, two logging concessions have been certified under certificate type forest management FSC (Kobo concession with 295000 ha and Pokola with 450000 ha all belonging to the CIB). This certification came after several audits carried out within these concessions.In 2009, another concession forest (Ngombe) belonging to the forest industry of Ouesso (IFO), with an area of 1.218.080 has been certified FSC.Indeed, the Congo is among the countries that have always expressed their willingness to ensure the sustainable management of forest resources. The first actions of the forest the Congo dated at the beginning of the 1970s with the development of management plans based on the annual timber harvest programs.The rule of law is at the base of the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and process Trade of the European Union whose interventions in the forestry sector are largely guided by the objectives of good governance and protection of biodiversity.Thus, after 10 months of negotiations, it is finally on May 9,2009 that the commission of the European Union and the Republic of Congo in Brazzaville concluded negotiations for a voluntary partnership agreement on the implementation of the forest law enforcement, governance of and trade of wood and derived products, aimed at combating illegal logging and illegal trade of wood from the Congo.So far, the Government in its policy of sustainable forest management, access on forest management, creates favorable conditions for forest companies access to certification, including with the participation of Congo (Minister of forest economy and sustainable development) in forums related to certification (Madrid, Barcelona, Brazzaville and Pokola); the FMU certification which is the most significant area granted was exploitation in the Congo basin; the acceleration since 2006 in the process of validation of the forest management plans; encouraging companies to go towards certification; the existence of a Fund for community development in the context of the implementation of the forest management Plan; the accession of populations, share of revenues from the exploitation of the FMU with local populations.Furthermore, Congo does not yet sufficiently operational certification systems. The Government must therefore stimulate debate around the certification while involving stakeholders in forest management.