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Forestry Crisis in Bío Bío: Timber Sector at Risk of Disappearing

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The decline of the forestry sector, one of the economic pillars of the Bío Bío region, was one of the main topics addressed at the CPC Bío Bío business meeting, "Impulsa," held today in Suractivo and attended by over 400 people. Governor Rodrigo Díaz warned thatthe timber sector is at risk of disappearing,an impact that could be five times greater than the closure of Huachipato.

Given this situation, he called for promoting forestry plantations for small and medium-sized businesses as an urgent measure to save the industry.

Meanwhile, CMPC President Luis Felipe Gacitúa acknowledged that forestry activity has significantly declined, noting that plantations in Chile have decreased from 2.3 million hectares to less than two million today. Gacitúa emphasized that incentives should focus on small and medium-sized landowners to revitalize the sector.

He also reported that CMPC maintains seven operational plants in the Bío Bío region, with an annual investment of 500 million dollars in forestry activity in Chile, despite persistent violence in the area—though he noted that crimes, such as timber theft, have decreased.

Bío Bío's Álvaro Ananias also highlighted the importance of protecting the forestry sector, crucial for the region's economy and employment.

Ananias stated thatit is necessary to replant the 100,000 hectares of forest consumed by wildfires in the areaand expressed confidence that the government will take action, citing meetings with the Minister of Economy, who has shown understanding of this reality.

The forestry crisis was not the only relevant topic at Impulsa 2024. The steel crisis and industrial fishing also took center stage, especially given the threat posed by the new fisheries law being processed in Congress.

Source:Biobiochile.cl