CATEGORY

This book examines forest policy in some of the major forestry regions, primarily the main competitors in world softwood markets. These regions include natural forests, plantation forests, various initial forest endowments, second/third generation forests, public forestland ownership, private forestland ownership, open markets, highly structured markets, and a variety of approaches to sustainability. For each region the volume provides an overview of its economy, the contribution of forestry, its resource base, the composition of the forest industry, and the major stakeholders. It then looks at the key policy issues, including forest management, timber pricing and export policy, environmental standards, land ownership and use, and the institutional setting for government agencies, taxation, labor, and capital. The chapters trace the evolution of the existing policy structure and conclude with a prognosis for the future. The book is a valuable reference source for forest policy practitioners, students of forestry and political economy and industrial decision-makers seeking to position their business in global forestry.