RELATIONSHIP TO INCENTIVES AND REGULATIONS?
Need to consider certification programs that do not penalize landowners who practice active plantation management. This may provide an incentive to keep land in forest production.
Certification becoming less voluntary in order to satisfy buyer groups. Neither the original intent nor an incentive.
Notes:
Lastly, forest certification programs which promote the use of active forest management strategies (as compared to the use of forest reserves) to produce desired future conditions and sustainable forests should be encouraged. Not only does this provide a stronger incentive to landowners, it also helps keep costs and benefits in better balance.
As large buyer groups begin to market certified forest products, the small land owner may be “forced” to gain certification in order to retain market share. Thus, forest certification will lose its voluntary nature and become more compulsory.