Minister Campos: “It is necessary and urgent to reform the current forestry legislation”

The Minister of Agriculture, Jaime Campos, led the first session of the Native Forest Advisory Council (CCBN), a body that this year marks seventeen years of existence and aims to promote the participation of various stakeholders from the forestry and conservation sectors in Chile on matters related to the Native Forest Law.

The Council supports the work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture in the discussion of regulations, incentives, and research resources allocated by the Native Forest Law and managed by the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), as well as in the enforcement of current forestry regulations.

With the appointment of its members, the Advisory Council opens a channel for participation for sectoral actors, becoming a relevant tool to promote the sustainable use of native forests and xerophytic formations in the country.

“It is necessary and urgent to reform the current forestry legislation, which dates back to the 1990s, with a Forestry Promotion Law that adapts to current times and the coming years,” stated the Minister of Agriculture, Jaime Campos.

“For our administration, modifying the Native Forest Law is a priority. We want to improve this instrument that directly benefits forest owners. This modification must be achieved through sustainable forest management, where preservation, conservation, and multiple-use forests can coexist, thus preventing the abandonment of this natural resource,” added the Executive Director of CONAF, Aída Baldini.

According to the call made, the current composition of the Native Forest Advisory Council is as follows:

·        Minister of Agriculture, Jaime Campos, President of the CCBN.

·        Executive Director of CONAF, Aída Baldini, Executive Secretary.

·        Representative of the Ministry of the Environment, Daniel Álvarez, Councilor.

·        President of the College of Forest Engineers, Julio Torres, Councilor.

·        President of the Botanical Society of Chile, Francisco Squeo, Councilor.

·        Executive Director of the Forestry Institute, Gabriel Valenzuela, Councilor.

Appointed individuals who make up the Advisory Council, representing their organizations:

·     Academic representative of the Faculties of Forest Engineering, Claudia Cerda, Councilor.

·     Academic representative of the Faculties of Biology, Mario Romero, Councilor.

·     Representative of non-governmental organizations, Sergio Donoso, Councilor.

·     Representative of non-governmental organizations, Pedro Álvarez, Councilor.

·     Representative of organizations of medium and large owners of properties with native forest, José Miguel Maiz, Councilor.

·     Representative of organizations of medium and large owners of properties with native forest, Rodolfo Tirado, Councilor.

·     Representative of organizations of small owners of properties with native forest, Omar Jofré, Councilor.

·     Representative of organizations of small owners of properties with native forest, Nivia Lorena Garrido, Councilor.

·     Representative of owners of privately protected wilderness areas, Andrés Pinto, Councilor.