The minister saw the first of the newly certified FSC timber being processed and then went to the local Forestry Commission office to hold a press conference regarding certification.
“This certification is not only an event for the forest owners but also the environmental groups, residents and surrounding communities who were involved in these joint efforts,” said Mr Peters.
The 4,450ha Kempen forest near Norbord‘s mill is the first area in eastern Belgium to receive FSC certification.
Mr Peters expressed an interest in returning to Genk later in the year to see Norbord’s biomass plant in action – a facility which will replace the need to use fossil fuels at the mill.
