The Liberian Code of Forest Harvesting Practices (CFHP) is an instructional manual containing internationally approved standards applicable to commercial logging operations. It was originally developed by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) in 2007 and amended in 2017 and has the main purpose of reducing logging impacts on workers’ Safety & Health, Environment, and corporate Social Responsibility while enhancing overall tree harvesting Productivity and product Quality. To assess forest operators’ performance to the CFHP, the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Labour (MoL) are engaged in inspections to ensure compliance.
The VPA Support Unit in its previous phase supported the revision of the CFHP and the development of a checklist to simplify the use of the CFHP in inspections. In its current phase and with recommendations from the three involved entities the VPA-SU2 modified the Checklist by creating a customized one for each institution. The review was based on experiences gained in more than 10 “mock inspections” in FMC and CFMA areas across the country for the purpose of training FDA, EPA, and MoL inspectors how to use the Checklist. Following the capacity building trainings, the three entities agreed to conduct the first “hot” joint inspections using the revised checklist and the Non-compliance Registry reporting template.
This inspection targeted the Worr Community Forest located in #1 Grand Bassa County which is operated by Magna Forestry, a third-party operator. The inspection team comprised FDA, EPA, and MoL inspectors along with the Community Forest Management Body representative, and members of the operator’s staff. From September 20th to 24th 2021 key performance areas of the CFHP were assessed. The inspectors of each entity are expected to produce a Non-Compliance Report containing specific details and corrective actions for the non-compliances observed during the inspections and to forward the reports to their headquarters.
Written by James Kollie
