Facilitating certification for smallholders
NEPCon is currently involved in two projects exploring innovative approaches that may become breakthrough models for facilitating certification of small forest operations. We are now planning a larger-scale project on the same topic, and are looking for financial support and colllaborators to realize these plans. Please find further background and information below.
The problem: exclusion of smallholders from certification
While the area of certified forest is fast growing, small-scale forestry operations are being left behind. This situation needs to be addressed for several reasons:
-150.jpg) 1.Smallholders manage large areas. In Europe, around 50% of the forestland is managed by 16 million private owners.
2. The potential social and environmental impact of certification is therefore large-scale. Responsible management of these areas matters! Today certification schemes have virtually no impact on these areas.
3. Non-certified small forest properties are increasingly facing a market disadvantage, since certification involves more serious challenges for them than for larger operations. 4. Exclusion of smaller operations may lead to bottlenecks on the certified raw material supply side in some regions.
Why are smallholders reluctant to enter certification?
For good reasons. Some key challenges faced by smallholders are:
-150.jpg) 1. Lack of control with forestry operations. Owners of small operations often use contractors for high-impact activities such as harvesting. Owners with a few ha of forest cannot require contractors to change their operational practice.
2. Cost of certification. Forest-based revenues are often small and highly irregular. The economic benefits of certification may not match the investment.
3. Certification requirements are not always adapted to the conditions of small forests. Planning, registration and monitoring demands are often less relevant for them.
Solutions: Addressing the challenge
To facilitate certification of smallholders, NEPCon recommends a an approach involving several tools at the same time:
-150.jpg) 1. Use of certified contractors.
The control with the contractor’s performance is hereby transferred to a third party, while a major part of the workload and cost of certification is effectively transferred to the contractor.
2. Establish group certification in order to reduce the administrative workload and cost for the individual owner.
3. Adjust the applicable certification standards by reducing some of the requirements for small operations. Compromises will sometimes be necessary.
On-going pilot projects
NEPCon is currently involved in two pilot projects exploring the above model:
 Smallholder Certification Project in the Baltics is jointly conducted by FSC, Stora Enso and WWF. The Rainforest Alliance and NEPCon are providing the project management and performing field tests. The project is financed by Stora Enso.
-100.jpg) Contractor certification – a shortcut to certification of smallholders is focused on smallholder certification in Denmark, where more than 70% of the forests are owned by numerous owners. The project is jointly implemented by NEPCon, the Danish Forest Contractors’ Association, and the Danish Forestry Extension Service. NEPCon is managing the project, which is financed by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency.
The next step
We are developing a project using the same approach on a larger scale. If you are interested to join or support this process, please contact us:
NEPCon’s Director Peter Feilberg: pf@nepcon.net, mobile +372 566 40246
Smallscale Forestry Certification Expert Hando Hain: hh@nepcon.net, mobile +372 5667 9888 |
