The issue of shaping and implementing the processes defined by the FSC standard for Ukraine regarding such elements of environmental values as representative sample areas of native ecosystems and high conservation values is one of the most controversial in the forest certification system. More than 100 participants – employees of the branches of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”, representatives of non-governmental organizations, scientific and educational institutions, and certification bodies – expressed interest in discussing the draft procedures developed by experts on such elements of environmental values being an integral part of these processes.
The methodological principles, structure, and content of the draft procedures for representative sample areas of native ecosystems and high conservation values presented during the workshop oriented the participants on the sequence of actions for FSC certificate holders to identify such values, assess them, take measures, and monitor them. The availability of procedures will significantly improve the organization of managerial and operational processes to meet the requirements of the FSC standard for Ukraine, defining both strategic and tactical guidelines for decision-making and implementation.
The presented results of the desk and field testing of the draft procedures confirmed, among other things, the possibility of their application, taking into account the sources of information available to FSC certificate holders. At the same time, the correct practical implementation of the procedures requires further efforts by FSC certificate holders to strengthen the integrity of implementation of the FSC standard requirements for Ukraine, to involve staff in these processes more, and to integrate these requirements into the daily practice of responsible forest management.
The comments, suggestions, and remarks received during the seminar on the draft procedures, their testing, and possibilities for use further confirm the importance of the relationship between science and practice in finding common answers to modern challenges.
Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine, said: "Implementation of environmental values procedures is a complex issue that requires changes in management processes and forest management practices. FSC certificate holders have the opportunity to revise and improve their management systems now, focusing on additional approaches in this area beyond those defined by law and relying on the support of the central office of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” along with active cooperation with scientists and educators"