FSC certification of the Latvian State Forests suspended
The Rainforest Alliance has suspended the FSC certificate covering the Latvian state forests (JSC “Latvijas valsts mezi” or LVM), an area of about 1.4 million hectares.
The decision to suspend the certificate was based on non-conformance findings during the annual audit in 2009 and a follow-up audit in 2010. The audits were performed by NEPCon, manager of the Rainforest Alliance's forestry program in Europe and Russia.
The certificate was suspended on 17July 2010. Any products harvested in the areas managed by LVM after that date cannot be considered as FSC certified, no matter when they were sold. Additionally, any products that were already harvested in the area prior to 17 July, but not sold prior to that date, shall not be sold as FSC certified.
LVM has informed the Rainforest Alliance that the organization is working on solving the issues identified. In order for the certificate to be reinstated, LVM will need to demonstrate to Rainforest Alliance full conformance with the raised major corrective actions.
