{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Ecotopia Teak","provider_url":"https:\/\/ecotopiateak.com","author_name":"market","author_url":"https:\/\/ecotopiateak.com\/index.php\/author\/market\/","title":"They try to combat illegal timber trafficking &#8211; Ecotopia Teak","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"IOr1Eiqywo\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecotopiateak.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/26\/they-try-to-combat-illegal-timber-trafficking\/\">They try to combat illegal timber trafficking<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/ecotopiateak.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/26\/they-try-to-combat-illegal-timber-trafficking\/embed\/#?secret=IOr1Eiqywo\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"\u00abThey try to combat illegal timber trafficking\u00bb \u2014 Ecotopia Teak\" data-secret=\"IOr1Eiqywo\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/ecotopiateak.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/ecotopiateak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/RCWNZJXGA5GPDPWDK6IZOJGQSQ.jpg","thumbnail_width":1200,"thumbnail_height":900,"description":"Authorities and private companies seek to promote sustainability and the responsible use of forest resources in Panama. Yaritza Mojica Reducing illegal logging and timber extraction is one of the goals aimed at consolidating a forest management base through the implementation of the Forest Traceability and Control System of Panama (STCF). \u00a0 This system, established in Resolution DM-006-2018 of February 27, 2018, which creates the STCF of the Ministry of Environment (Miambiente), has made it possible to locate trees from their point of origin, know the origin of the log, as well as identify the timber and its legality. \u00a0 Additionally, electronic devices (blue and yellow) have been implemented in the trees and logs for identification and registration purposes. \u00a0 \u00c1lvaro Castillo, a forest engineer from the Forestry Directorate of Miambiente, explained that last year 10 cases were detected in which attempts were made to illegally commercialize timber. \u00a0 The product is transported through small trucks to sell it quickly in small workshops. \u00a0 Timber is recognized as lacking traceability if it is transported without the forest products being marked or identified with yellow tags, which verify its origin. \u00a0 So far in 2024, the Forestry Directorate has not reported any cases of illegal timber transportation. \u00a0 Castillo explained that in Dari\u00e9n, illegal logging of various timber species, including balsam, which is exported, as well as bitter cedar, espav\u00e9, and some yellow species, has been detected. \u00a0 In the central provinces, illegal logging of oak and bitter cedar has been found. In Bocas del Toro, some cases of extraction of millenary species in small volumes have been identified. \u00a0 According to Castillo, there are platforms that Miambiente establishes for the control of sustainable forest production in the country, including logging, transportation, distribution centers, transformation centers, and the export of species that have an international market. \u00a0 The forest engineer stated that in forests where logging and extraction of timber occur, with a quantity of 100 trees, only 70% can be extracted, and the remaining 30% of the trees must be left as seed trees. \u00a0 These seed trees must be \u00abgood\u00bb trees, meaning they must have a cylindrical trunk, a wide crown, and must not have holes, be damaged, or burned. These characteristics are essential to maintain high-quality seed genetics. \u00a0 Monitoring and control of sustainable forest production in the utilization areas by Miambiente. Courtesy. In Panama, there are eight areas designated for timber utilization. These include the Ember\u00e1-Wounaan comarca in C\u00e9maco, the Wargand\u00ed and Mort\u00ed areas, the Guna de Madungand\u00ed comarca in R\u00edo S\u00e1balo, Chicola Chicola, and two areas for submerged timber utilization in R\u00edo Diablo and Aguas Claras within Lake Bayano. \u00a0 To maintain controls, the Forestry Directorate conducts operations and verifications in all utilization areas, including industries, sawmill areas, and workshops where the STCF is implemented, ensuring that timber guides are signed by qualified personnel. \u00a0 Additionally, they receive support from the National Border Service (Senafront), the Ecological Police, and the Environmental Prosecutor\u2019s Office. \u00a0 Bianca Mor\u00e1n, president of the Panamanian Exporters Association and manager of Ecotopia Teak, stated that 98% of Panama&#8217;s exports consist of teak, a type of timber sourced from commercial forest plantations. \u00a0 In this regard, she advocates for the promotion of certified reforestation, which also helps generate jobs in rural areas. \u00a0 According to Mor\u00e1n, traceability is what allows exports to demanding markets in terms of quality. She explained that certified companies undergo environmental, labor, health, and financial audits, and their forest operations are audited annually. \u00a0 \u201cWith all this traceability in our product, the person who buys a chair or a piece of furniture made from our teak can be assured that not only has the chain of custody been complied with, but they also have a piece of furniture made from sustainable forest timber. This opens many opportunities for Panamanians.\u201d \u00a0 In Mor\u00e1n&#8217;s view, efforts should be made to reach the best markets because of the product&#8217;s quality. \u201cNow we need to move towards scenarios with value-added products to increase our export offerings,\u201d she stated. \u00a0 These statements were made during a discussion on sustainability and the responsible use of forest resources in Panama, which also included participation from Denise Cisneros of Tetra Pak, who presented on sustainability and the use of renewable and recyclable raw materials, as well as representatives from Miambiente. About us Ecotopia Teak, S.A., we are a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood according to the needs and demands of national and international markets. Additionally, we actively contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in the communities where we operate. Our commitment is to lead the industry in sustainable reforestation and wood production, preserving our natural resources and building a greener and more sustainable future. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles"}