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Timber Guilds Criticize CONAF's Absence in the Debate Over the Forestry Sector Crisis

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• It is a fact that small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector are destined to disappear if a set of threats, such as the shortage of timber, is not addressed through public policy.

In recent days, the severe crisis facing the forestry sector has been highlighted in the media, an issue that timber producers have repeatedly warned sector authorities about, with limited results so far.

From the guilds grouped in the Red Futuro Madera, composed of the Chilean Biomass Association (AChBIOM); the Forest Contractors Association (Acoforag); the Native Forest Owners Association (Aprobosque); the College of Forestry Engineers (Cifag); the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma); and the Small and Medium-Sized Timber Industries (PymeMad), they expressed their displeasure at CONAF's absence, particularly that of its national director, in the debate on the forestry crisis.

"It is a fact that small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector are destined to disappear if a set of threats, such as the timber shortage, the lack of support for plantations—especially those affected by fires—and the need for an institutional framework to address the sector's complexities, is not tackled through public policy. We regret that the main sectoral authority, the executive director of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), has not spoken out on this debate," they emphasized.

They added that it is essential for the forestry authority to take on a more prominent role and actively participate in revitalizing a clearly depressed sector.

"We are convinced that resolving the current problems is impossible without sectoral authorities who understand the severity of the situation and act accordingly. Today, we do not see that willingness; on the contrary, we are faced with unilateral diagnoses and proposals that do not offer an effective solution to the crisis we are facing," they stressed.

They further stated that it is imperative for forestry sector authorities to heed the calls made by various stakeholders across the board. "At stake are over 300,000 jobs and the well-being of numerous communities that depend directly on the forestry industry," they concluded.