Conformity assessment of UFCS against PEFC (2010).pdf - ITS Global

Evaluation and assessment of Uruguayan Forest Certification scheme against the requirements of the PEFC Council
Annex 1. Comments Submitted to ITS Global during Public
Consultation Period
One submission was received as a result of public consultation period for UFCS.
The submission was from Cassie Phillips, Vice President, Sustainable Forests and Products,
Corporate Headquarters, Weyerhaeuser dated 24 September 2010.
The general theme of the Weyerhaeuser submission is to express support of PEFCC’s assessment
and recognition of UFCS. The submission specifically makes the following comments:
1) Uruguay’s policy for forest industry development is concentrated exclusively on renewable
forestry plantations;
2) Uruguay’s policies of identifying “forestry priority soils” underpin the regulatory structure
for the establishment of plantations. These soils are assessed as having limitations for
commercial crops and intensive animal production, but are particularly suitable for forest
plantations;
3) Regulatory approvals are required from Uruguayan Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of
Environment to establish plantations;
4) The importance of expanding forest products industry in terms of Uruguayan sustainable
and development initiatives and exports;
5) The importance of forest certification to generate market confidence, specifically to show
that Uruguay plantation practices are consistent with SFM principles;
6) The independence of UNIT in developing and approving forest management standards.
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