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Progress in the Creation of the National Forestry Service

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• In a special session, the Senate approves key articles for the formation of Sernafor, promising a new era in the country's forest management.

Following a special session of the Joint Committees on Agriculture and the Environment, the Chilean Senate has taken a significant step toward the creation of the National Forestry Service (Sernafor), approving the first articles of the bill aimed at replacing the current National Forestry Corporation (CONAF). The meeting, held last Thursday, March 7, in Valdivia, the capital of the Los Ríos Region, concluded with the approval of provisions defining the purpose, scope, and functions of the new entity.

The Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, highlighted the progress of the project, stating that the discussion is now on the "right track" for this initiative, which seeks to establish a modern institution capable of balancing conservation with productive development. Valenzuela emphasized the importance of dialogue with all involved sectors, including industry, environmental NGOs, and academia, to advance for the benefit of the country.

The session was attended by government officials and legislators, including CONAF's executive director, Christian Little, who stated that the work carried out aims to strengthen the State in forestry, environmental, and social matters, with a special commitment to combating climate change and territorial development. Little stressed the need for the new public entity, given CONAF's current limitations as a private law corporation.

Senator Iván Flores, president of the Agriculture Committee and representative of the Los Ríos Region, highlighted the seriousness of the work and the participation of all stakeholders to achieve a robust institution that regulates, supervises, promotes, and protects the social role of forests in Chile.

The final push for the processing of the Sernafor bill came during the launch of the 2023-2024 National Plan for the Prevention, Mitigation, and Combat of Forest Fires, when President Gabriel Boric announced the "suma urgencia" (top priority) for the initiative. This decision was motivated by the devastating wildfires of the 2022-2023 season and their impact on the population and the forestry-agricultural sector.

With the approval of these articles, Chile is moving toward more effective forest management aligned with international commitments on climate change and environmental conservation.