Forest Policy: International Case Studies

This is an examination of forest policy in a selection of major forestry jurisdictions, primarily the major competitors in world softwood markets. These regions represent systems operating with natural forests, plantation forests, initial forest endowments, second and third generation forests, public forestland ownership, open markets, highly structured markets, and various responses to sustainability. For each jurisdiction a brief overview of the economy, the contribution of forestry, the resource base, the composition of the forest industry and the major stakeholders is provided. The policy discussions include forest management, timber pricing and export policy, environmental standards, land ownership and use, and the institutional setting relating to government agencies, taxation, labour and capital. Comment is provided on the evolution of the existing policy structure, and the work finishes with an evaluation and prognosis for the jurisdiction discussed.