Forestry Department to license sawmill operators

Persons who operate sawmills, trade in or store locally produced lumber will now be required to be licenced by the Forestry Department.

The licensing regime, which was launched Wednesday, is part of  an initiative by the Forestry Department to regulate the saw milling industry.

 Persons who intend to operate a sawmill for commercial purposes must get a licence from the Department.

The licence will run in accordance with the calendar year commencing January 2015 and is required whether the source of  the lumber is from private or public lands.

There will be a J$15,000  fee renewable annually.  

Persons who operate without a licence will be liable for prosecution and fined up to $50,000 or a maximum one year in prison.

The Forestry Department has instituted a moratorium on fees for persons who wish to secure licences for the remainder of  2014.

Meanwhile, Principal Director of  Forest Operations, Keith Porter, says individuals who have a power or manual saw for personal use such as pruning trees will not need a licence.

It will only be required if  the saw is intended for commercial purposes.

The Forestry Department will use the process to collect data to establish a register of  functioning sawmills.

 The information is expected to better aid the agency in the management and regulation of  the forestry industry.