Forestry policy reforms proposed in Chile and Mexico

In Chile, the Ministry of Agriculture has introduced a draft bill to establish new incentives for forestry activities, primarily targeting small and medium-sized landowners. The proposal has reignited debates regarding the impact of plantation models on native forests. The Association of Forest Engineers for Native Forest (AIFBN) has raised concerns, noting that the draft could allow bonuses for plantations where up to 90% of the surface consists of a single species. Critics argue that without stricter requirements for biodiversity and vegetation discontinuity, economic factors may continue to favor fast-growing species like pine and eucalyptus.

In Mexico, legislator Jericó Abramo Masso has proposed a reform to the General Law for Sustainable Forest Development. The initiative seeks to transition the government’s role from merely “promoting” legal forest products to strictly mandating that all public purchases—including wood, paper, cardboard, cellulose, and furniture—are legal and certified. The proposal aims to combat illegal logging by ensuring state spending does not indirectly finance irregular timber. It also includes provisions to sanction suppliers who present falsified documentation.