Powerful Interests' Delaying Tactics Have Slowed Process

Influential sectors have been contributing to a years-long holdup in the discussion of a proposed new forestry law by engaging in delaying tactics, said Andrés Solórzano, president of the Honduran Federation of Agro-forestry Cooperatives (FEHCAFOR).

For days various sectors have been in intense, point-by-point discussion sessions over what exactly the proposed forestry law will look like when brought for debate before the National Congress shortly.

"The process has been a long one, and one in which the social sector has had a relatively participatory role. Under each government the proposal has been modified, which indicates that there are sectors that are having an influence on it along the way," Solórzano reiterated.

Solórzano pointed out that he believes a new forestry law like the one desired by the social sector would not pass if purely up to the will of the National Congress. As the discussion comes to an end, he said, "I don't think we're going to attain 100 percent of what we want, but the important thing is that the proposal be changed as little as possible."

The FEHCAFOR president pointed out that one important accomplishment was the Community Forestry Cooperatives, which would get communities involved in forest management by awarding them with contracts to manage and thus also benefit from areas of the forest.

Solórzano charged that over the course of Honduran history the benefits of the forest have been reserved for a small few, a situation the new proposal, which calls for community involvement, attempts to counteract.

Article:

New Forestry Law
proposal sent
to Congress

Law works to respond
to all concerns

Interviews:

Rural worker´s perspective

AJS lawyer -Gilda Espinal

Talking to Congress

Former Director of Honduran Forestry Development

President of the Honduran Federation of Agro-Forestry Development