GA update 5 November 2008
“If nobody is happy, but most can accept the result, then we have found at good compromise” said the Executive Director of FSC Andre de Freitas in his opening speech at the FSC general assembly.
“FSC needs to find compromises between very different and often conflicting interests - this is the basic nature of FSC. Clearly nobody likes the controlled wood requirements, so probably this indicates that we have found a good compromise.”
Freitas was referring to the most debated topic in the corridors and at the side meetings of the FSC General Assembly on Tuesday. Most NGOs want to get rid of the controlled wood concept, many members of Economic Chamber North find the rules too strict but still want to keep the concept, while some South members of the same chamber find that it should never have been introduced and results in unfair competition.
Controlled wood compromise motions
Shortly before the deadline of this newsletter, compromise motions were prepared by a working group. One motion looks into short-term steps to strengthen the enforcement of the current requirements, while a second motion suggests conducting a feasibility study on the possibility to phase out Controlled Wood in the supply chain.
Consensus building on CB performance
In contrast to the controlled wood issue, broad support seems to be gathering around motions related to the performance of certification organisations. A working group including representatives from each of the FSC chambers has been discussing the issue and agreed on modified motions expected to go through to the final voting. These include evaluating certification organisations according to performance indicators, increased intensity of auditing certification bodies having performance issues, and enabling FSC to suspend certificates immediately in case of problems.
