Regulation on utilization of minor forest products (FDA Regulation No. 24)

FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULADON NO. 24 ON UTLIZAnON OF MINOR FOREST PRODUCTS WHEREAS, the Act creating the Forestry Development Authority approved November 1, 1976 and published December 20, 1976 empowers the Authority in Section 4 U) and (n) to promulgate, issue, amend and rescind forestry rules and regulations to ensure the accomplishment of all its policy objectives; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section (c) of the said Act creating the Forestry Development Authority it is one of the primary objectives of the Authority to protect and conserve the forest resources in all ways that enhance and sustain their development in the national economy; and ' WHEREAS, the minor forest products have immense potentials to induce accelerated growth and . .development in the rural economies; and moreover these products are increasingly gaining importance on the local and international markets, and; WHEREAS, the methods of harvesting these minor forest products are threats to the protection and conservation of'Liberia's biodiversity; and WHEREAS, it is incumbent on the Forestry Development Authority to take appropriate measures in containing the threats to the Nation's resources so as to ensure continued environmental stability; NOW. THEREFORE, the Forestry Development Authority hereby rules and regulates the following: SECTION I: DEFINITION Minor Forest Products are: Numerous forest products other than timber. These minor forest products include but not limited to the following: 1. Bamboo 2. Gum 3. Resin 4. Cork 5. Piassava and other vegetative fibres 6. Rattan 7. Raphia 8. Chewing sticks 9. Wild fruits 10. High Forest tree Seeds II. Wine from raphia and oil palm trees 12. Wild mushrooms 13. Medicinal herbs, barks and roots 14. Honey 15. Rafters and po les 16.F~ewoodIFuelwood 17. Charcoal 18. Oil palm cabbage SECTION II: ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE FEES Non-refundable Annual Administrative Permit fees for minor forest products, producers! harvesters are as follows: 1. Rattan---------- .--------------~---------US $500.00 2. Charcoal (Producers)---------------LD$8,OOO.OO 3. Charcoal (Sellers)-----------.:-------LD$4,000.00 4. Bamboo (Reed)----------------------LD$200.00 5. ~ FirewoodIFuelwood----------------LD$l,OOO.OO 6. Palm wine------------------------------LD$200,OO 7. Pine (Raphia) wine------------------LD$200.00 8. Others---------------------------------LD$200.00 Business registration certificates are to be obtained fromthe Ministry ofCommerce and Industry. SECTION III; FELLING OF PALM TREES Penalties for felling the below listed tree species are as follows: 1. Oilpalm trees--------------------------LD$5,OOO.00 2. Raphia trees----------------------------LD$5,000.00 However in the case of fanning where oil palm trees are in closed aggregate in a stand of not less than five (5) trees per lot, the farmer may contact the Authority before felling. SECTION IV: PENALTY Anyviolation against any clause in this Regulation shall be punishable by law. SECTION V: REPEAL Regulation No.23 Section IV (D) on Annual Administrative Permit fees for minor forest products, and non-wood forest producers is hereby repealed. SECTION VI: EFFECTIVE DATE This regulation shall become effective on June 22,2000 and be announced and published in the public media. SIGNED Demetrious B. Taylor MANAGING DIRECTOR MONROVI. LIBERIA JUNE 8, 2000