Forestry

Pacific Agriculture, Forestry Ministers endorse International Year of Plant Health 2020 strategy

The regional meeting, a joint effort of the Pacific Community (SPC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of Samoa, saw participation from Ministers from Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Island, Tokelau, Tonga and Vanuatu, and Heads of Delegation from American Samoa, Australia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna.

Solomons government cancels 30+ Agro-forestry permits

The government says the revocation came because it understands exemption orders allowing companies to fell timber for uses other than the export of round logs were being abused.

The government says agencies have been mobilised to ensure the revocation of the permits is adhered to.

One of the areas where the issue has impacted negatively is on Mono in Shortland Islands.

Ongoing tensions between landowners and logging companies have resulted in armed conflict that the government says has divided communities and become a national security issue.