“The prepared National standard is a document that follows the most current requirements of FSC in relation to the responsible forest management. Bulgaria has the real opportunity to become the third country in Europe together with France and Portugal that synchronizes its national standard with the latest version of the international principles and criteria. This way we pave a stable ground for the forest protection in favor to the whole society” – highlights Nelly Arabadzhieva, facilitator of the working group that prepares the national FSC standard.
Within the next one month (until 11th May 2016), you can send your written comments related to the document at fcic@wwfdcp.bg or address: Sofia, Ivan Vazov street, 38, apt. 3-4.
WWF reminds that almost 20% of the Bulgarian forests are already certified under the international FSC standard. Within these certified forests stricter rules shall be respected, including such in relation to the use of pesticides, as well as proactive engagement of the citizens in the forest management. Tree cutting is absolutely prohibited in parts of the oldest forests within the certified areas. Special management and monitoring measures are undertaken in forests with high conservation value.
The preparation of the national FSC standard for Bulgaria is conducted by a working group, officially registered at the “Policy and standards” department of FSC in August 2014.
The experts of the working group will scrutinize all stakeholder comments and will integrate them in the standard, considering their relevance and admission, before the standard to be sent for approval by FSC. After the FSC approval of the document, this standard will substitute all other active, general and adapted standards of the certifying bodies, which are operating on Bulgarian territory. This means that one single standard will be applied for all who wish to certify their forests.
WWF and FSC invite all citizens to participate in the management of forests
