The AFG promotes a historic agreement for the recovery of the Galician pine.
After a long period of preparation led by the technical teams of AFG and FINSA, a total of 51 entities from the wood chain signed a historic agreement yesterday in Santiago de Compostela that will promote the recovery of the Galician pine. The sector's collective commitment is focused on boosting the production of quality timber, for which the genetic improvement of pines and their proper silvicultural management in the forest will be promoted, in order to obtain straight, knot-free timber suitable for high-value-added industrial uses.
The signatory entities will shortly establish minimum reference prices for this quality timber, so that its production is sufficiently attractive to forest owners. The situation we are starting from is not the best; we all know that many producers are disillusioned with pine. It is no surprise, as the price of the best logs is very low… and on this all the signatories to the agreement agree: good timber must be valued by increasing its price. This is the starting point for revitalisation. And this is the commitment we must finalise in the short term.
The price differentiation of quality pine wood will be accompanied by two other strategic actions aimed at equipping forest owners with the necessary tools and knowledge for this type of production.
Firstly, the Galician timber supply chain will drive the genetic improvement of conifers. The aim is to offer landowners conifer seedlings that are resistant to health risks and have proven growth rates, thereby reducing production cycles.
A second aspect that will be worked on is the promotion of silvicultural models that allow for good results to be achieved, both in plantations and in naturally regenerated stands. In the near future, pilot areas will be defined in which training and outreach activities will be launched. The creation of a network of demonstration forests is also planned, which will allow results to be visualised and support training programmes on silvicultural treatments (pruning, thinning, etc.).
Another strategic pillar of the agreement is the promotion of the use and consumption of Galician coniferous timber, so that Galician society and consumers are aware of the products made from a sustainable forestry model, which places Galicia at the forefront of innovation and the circular economy.
The comprehensive plan for the revitalisation and recovery of coniferous forests and the promotion of wood consumption in Galicia was signed yesterday at an event held at the City of Culture, attended by 51 entities from the sector, including associations of forest owners, nurseries, forestry service companies, sawmills, secondary processing companies, prescribers, distribution firms and other institutions (See full list below). The timber sector also appreciates the commitment to the Plan shown by Abanca, a leading financial institution in Galicia with traditional links to the rural world.
Context
For years, the country's pine (Pinus pinaster) and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) stands have been in decline due to various factors, such as non-competitive market prices, a lack of quality planting stock, or the application of silvicultural models unsuited to the requirements of the industries. This situation, if left unchanged, would lead in the medium term to a sharp decline in pine wood stocks. Such a scenario is worrying for the industry that uses pine, but also for silviculturists, who need to have options to diversify their investments in the forest.
The agreement signed by the Galician timber chain will be implemented through the launch of a restoration programme aimed at recovering areas in Galicia dedicated to conifers, as well as improving existing stands.
Looking ahead, there are numerous opportunities for Galicia's coniferous timber, as there is an increase in demand for products derived from pine wood, particularly from equipment sectors such as contract.
The development of the bioeconomy in Europe will also enable innovative uses of pine wood (bioplastics, textile fibres, the production of chemicals, etc.), which paints a promising outlook for Galicia's pine forests, which, in addition to their productive function, have great environmental, landscape and social importance, particularly in coastal ecosystems, peri-urban woodlands and the mountains of inland Galicia.
