Fiji can have a better access to the European, North American, Australian and New Zealand’s mahogany markets once it complies and is certified under the Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC).
Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd (FHCL) acting general manager Semi Dranibaka said they had not realised the full potential of Fiji Mahogany because it was not yet certified for excellent forest management.
Mr Dranibaka said all the mahogany was being exported to markets that were not giving Fiji the full value.
In a media release, he said getting the FSC forest management certification would confirm that a forest was being managed in a way that protected biological diversity and benefited the lives of local people and workers, while ensuring it sustained economic viability.
He said Fiji Hardwood exported its mahogany through the issuance of a certificate of legality which certified it was from a legal source, but once they attain FSC standard it would open them to more markets.
According to Mr Dranibaka as forest plantation management plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of our watersheds, rivers and reefs, applying certification will further enhance nature and ecosystem protection.
“Forest certification is not an easy feat, it is a very costly exercise and we need investment in order to comply with the standard.
“Fiji Hardwood Corporation is at a level where we have the Mahogany Industry Development Act 2010, we have a Harvesting Code, we have the relevant Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act under the Ministry of Labour where we issue safety measures for the people.
“All our industry stakeholders are informed, registered and monitored, but we need to identify the gaps to try and bridge so that it be compliant.
“Forest certification encompasses all the processes and systems through environmental safeguards, landowner issues, our social corporate responsibility and also economic viability on how we can provide high quality logs to be processed and exported,” he said.
It was also highlighted that the company was supported through Fiji’s National GEF Reef to Ridge Project (R2R), managed by UNDP and implemented by the Ministry of Forestry with partners such as WWF to help realise FHCL’s ambitions for FSC.