Forest Certification Involvement And Role Of Government Of The Republic Of Congo For Sustainable Forest Management

Abstract this research presents firstly the forest activity in Congo and secondly some forest certification schemes exerted in Africa and in Congo and explain how the Congolese government and these systems work together for a sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Congo. To do that we put the action on the involvement and the role of the Congolese government in this relationship. Congo is one of the countries that have always shown their will to sustainably manage their forest resources. The first forest management in Congo started in the early 1970s with the development of management plans focused on annual timber harvesting In 1974 the new Forest Code Law No. 00474 of 4 January 1974 transformed the Congolese forest legislation. Considered at the time of its promulgation as one of the most modern forest code in Central Africa it defined the forest management unit UFA the maximum annual cut VMA the promotion of local processing Atlas Forestier Interactif du Congo2. At present the use of the forest domain is governed by Law No. 162000 of 20 November 2000 on the Forest Code 4.It takes into consideration that go one hand developments related to forest management and conservation of the environment occurred in recent years at the international level and on the other hand the new socio-political context of the Congo. The Forest Code confirms the policy of sustainable management of forest ecosystems which guarantees sustained forest products production and ensures the conservation of biological diversity. In addition the law stipulates that the transformation of the countrys production should reach 85 percent Despite those efforts granted by the Congolese government Congo still lacks sufficient operational schemes certification so it is still an exclusive business to northern markets. The Congolese government has the merit to generate debate involving in the forest sector regarding the certification.