6 June 2013
São Paulo, Brazil, June 6th, 2013 - Today, the sixth biennial international CEOs Roundtable organized by the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) took place in São Paulo, Brazil.
More than 50 CEOs and association leaders from around the world met to address issues of common interest, including the consequences of economic pressures on forests from the demand for food, fuel and fiber, the impacts of government policies and programs on the forest products industry, and how to position the industry in its transition for the future.
We are optimistic about the future of the global forest products industry, said David Scheible, President and CEO of Graphic Packaging International, Inc. “Our industry provides renewable and recyclable products that are important to the global economy and meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities around the globe.”
As a supplier of sustainable, renewable, and recyclable wood and paper products, the industry has a growing opportunity to both satisfy traditional markets for pulp, paper, paper-based packaging, and wood products and new markets for bio-energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and others. Many companies are working on the development of next-generation materials from wood fiber that can meet the needs of a growing global population.
Our industry is advancing its value-added proposition with the potential of delivering sustainable, 21st century products that can help lighten the global manufacturing sector’s environmental footprint,”said Marcelo Castelli, President and CEO of Fibria S/A. “The industry’s transformation towards the next-generation forest economy is being fueled by the rapidly growing bio-economy.”
Key points of discussion by the CEOs included the demands for wood fiber and the challenges and opportunities for the industry in the areas of increased forest yields, improvements in recovered fiber quality and quantity, and new products in the bio-economy. They also discussed opportunities for industry collaboration on global government policies affecting the industry’s competiveness and opportunities for attracting new customers and new workers by improving perceptions of the industry.
In order to truly take advantage of the growing opportunities provided by the bio-economy, the industry will need an infusion of new workers and new skills and competencies to produce these new products, said Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO, Fortress Paper, Ltd. “Working through our industry associations, with governments and educational institutions, we are committed to attract and train the best and the brightest to our green renewable industry.”
The next ICFPA CEOs Roundtable is scheduled to take place in 2015.
Established plantations of pine, macrocarpa and Douglas-fir over 40 hectares now co-exist with carefully positioned ornamental trees on the long and narrow property running 16 kilometres from the highway to the sea.
Often circling the plantations are lusitanicus and cypress that will remain standing when timber trees are harvested.
Another 30 ha of native bush is protected by QE11 covenant and the couple have fenced from stock about 100 ha in gullies for their personal pleasure.
Charles Wiffen said the trees had been planted at the 1400 ha farm as much for providing a pleasant working landscape as for shelter and shade for stock. He said they had made a point of planting oaks, poplars and cypress for variety.
The Wiffens, who also run a Blenheim vineyard and manage the Charles Wiffen label, have been at Inverness for 48 years with Charles' father first running the farm. Elms, maples and "every oak you could think of" now line the property.
Farm Forestry Association award judge Neil Cullen, Balclutha, said the trees were an example of good land use.
Many of the "awkward" corners and gullies had been planted in small tree blocks, shelter belts and ornamental trees to provide shade and shelter appreciated by stock this dry summer, he said.
"I was impressed with the way they have managed the property as far as land use goes. It's a long, stretched out property 16km to the ocean and although there is only 40 ha of tree blocks in 1400 ha a lot of the property isn't suitable for forestry because of access problems."
Wiffen said he was a farmer first and a forester second, but he had always appreciated trees for the qualities they brought to a farm.
Story by Tim Cronshaw, © Fairfax NZ News. To read the full story, click here.