The Mozambican province of Sofala says it will ignore new limits on the amount of unprocessed logs that can be exported.
The province’s tough stand follows a decision by the Forestry and Wildlife Forum, which says a maximum of 50% of wood logged in the country’s forests can be exported in the form of unprocessed logs. The move is designed to boost domestic processing.
Sofala’s government says the province’s unprocessed exports are already below the threshold at 40%, unlike other areas where the figure is 60%, and most provincial forestry operators have already seen the advantages of exporting sawn wood.
Provincial governor Felicio Zacarias claims Sofala’s processed timber exports will futher increase to 80-90%.
