FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature
FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature
FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature
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2. Impact <strong>in</strong> <strong>and</strong> beyond the forest: 2.3 Environmental effects<br />
require outright elim<strong>in</strong>ation of all synthetic pesticides <strong>and</strong> herbicides but do have expectations<br />
for their safe use. Therefore, the conditions focused on develop<strong>in</strong>g strategies to reduce<br />
<strong>and</strong> m<strong>in</strong>imize the use of chemicals, <strong>and</strong> to ensure that, when their use is necessary,<br />
chemicals are applied appropriately. This <strong>in</strong>volved safety precautions for those workers<br />
apply<strong>in</strong>g the chemicals, as well as measures to ensure the chemicals do not enter waterways<br />
or other sensitive areas. In rare cases, assessors did f<strong>in</strong>d evidence that banned<br />
chemicals were be<strong>in</strong>g used, <strong>and</strong> specifically prohibited their use by name. Depend<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
the approach taken <strong>in</strong> regional st<strong>and</strong>ards, some conditions required operations to research<br />
alternatives to chemicals. For example: “Use of any synthetic pesticide, fungicide, <strong>and</strong><br />
herbicide must be preceded by a plan that identifies <strong>and</strong> evaluates non-chemical alternatives…”.<br />
In some cases, specific ideas for alternatives were given. One operation was required<br />
to determ<strong>in</strong>e the feasibility of us<strong>in</strong>g “bio-degradable oil for cha<strong>in</strong> saws <strong>and</strong> as hydraulic<br />
oil <strong>in</strong> mach<strong>in</strong>ery work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the forest, <strong>and</strong> pro-duce a plan for switch<strong>in</strong>g to or <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the use of biodegradable oil.” (Newsom & Hewitt 2005).<br />
Reduced use of pesticides <strong>in</strong> Germany<br />
Hirschberger’s study (2005) of German <strong>FSC</strong> certification reports found:<br />
“<strong>FSC</strong> certification also banned the avoidable use of toxics <strong>in</strong> the forest. A key issue is the<br />
precautionary treatment of timber stored <strong>in</strong> the forest with <strong>in</strong>secticides. This could be<br />
solved by the accurately timed evacuation of the wood. The restra<strong>in</strong>t of the regeneration<br />
by gram<strong>in</strong>aceous species is combated with forest management measures like a reduced<br />
harvest<strong>in</strong>g level <strong>in</strong> vulnerable st<strong>and</strong>s. The reduced growth of grass is also less attractive<br />
for voles <strong>and</strong> allows therefore aga<strong>in</strong> the reduction of the use of pesticides.” 112<br />
Conservation <strong>and</strong> biodiversity<br />
Some conservationists are challeng<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>FSC</strong>. In a debate <strong>in</strong> 2001 Brown et al. found that<br />
“Connections between forest certification <strong>and</strong> biodiversity conservation are well established<br />
conceptually, but on-the-ground results have not been consistent. For example, regional<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g groups of <strong>FSC</strong> have taken disparate decisions on issues such as plantation<br />
forestry, pesticides use, logg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> old-growth forests, <strong>and</strong> management for l<strong>and</strong>scape pat-<br />
112 Hirschberger, Peter (2005): The Effects of <strong>FSC</strong>-certification <strong>in</strong> Germany: an analysis of CARs. WWF Forest<br />
Programme. 48 p. http://www.p<strong>and</strong>a.org/downloads/forests/fscanalysisgermany.pdf (as of June 2008)<br />
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