The Galician Forestry Association celebrates its 40th anniversary with a positive record and the approval of three strategic resolutions for the Galician forest.
The Galician Forestry Association (AFG) held its 39th Ordinary General Assembly on Saturday 25 April 2026 at the Rectoral of Ansemil in Celanova, Ourense. The event also served to commemorate the organisation's 40th anniversary.
The day, inaugurated by the Mayor of Celanova, Antonio Puga, and the Councillor for Rural Affairs, Jesús Regal Rodríguez, was marked by the unanimous approval of three strategic resolutions that place innovation, sustainability and participation at the heart of the future of the Galician forestry sector.
Three resolutions for the future of the Galician forests
The assembly gave its backing to three resolution proposals put forward by the governing board, which formed the bulk of the debate among those present.
- Research into new conifers and tax reform for the pine industry. In the face of the serious health problems currently affecting Maritime pine and Radiata pine In Galicia, the AFG calls for the promotion and research of new conifer species capable of being successfully established in the Galician forests. Likewise, the organisation is calling for a change in taxation affecting the felling of pine stands, with the aim of not penalising active management and the replacement of affected stands.
- Compensations for ecosystem services. The AFG calls on the Forestry Administration to make a firm commitment to developing compensation for ecosystem services in forest areas subject to various constraints and pressures, with particular attention to two priority areas: the forests included in the Natura 2000 network, which face management restrictions, and peri-urban spaces, which provide recreational and environmental services to the cities and towns of Galicia.
- Direct participation in the drafting of new laws. The association is calling on the Ministry of Rural Affairs to open direct channels of collaboration with forest owners and sector organisations in the process of drafting the new laws on fire prevention and community woodlands, thereby ensuring that the regulations are built on the basis of knowledge and on-the-ground experience.
Annual review of exercise and activity
At the assembly, a summary of the activities carried out by the association throughout 2025 was presented, highlighting those that required special dedication, such as the various technical services provided to its members. In this regard, the effort made in setting up several joint forest management groups and in certifying ecosystem services was particularly noted.
Likewise, the defence of the interests of forest owners was emphasised in various institutional forums, both within the administration and in the political sphere, as well as in the joint work carried out with many institutional organisations with which the AFG works closely at regional, national and European levels.
Tribute for the 40th anniversary of the AFG
Within the framework of the assembly, and coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the AFG's foundation, an emotional ceremony was held in which members from different generations and backgrounds took part, representing the organisation's diversity and vitality. The president of the AFG, Antonio Rigueiro, served as presenter and host of the event.
The following took part in the tribute: José Estévez Pérez (president of the CMVMC of Parderrubias, Salceda de Caselas), Carlos Abellán (forest owner in Malpica de Bergantiños), Francisco Rivera (owner in Viveiro and Pedrafita), Ramona Barrio (owner in Xinzo de Limia), Antonio Pérez (treasurer of the CMVMC of Santa María de Oín, Rois), Beatriz Marchesi (forest owner in Oza-Cesuras), Xosé Manuel Sendín (president of the CMVMC of Paraños, Covelo), Belén Mantiñán (forest owner in Cambre) and Fuco García (forest owner in Piñor).
Also taking part were AFG's newest and longest-serving employees: Iara Brea (forestry technical engineer) and Maripaz Boente (AFG administrative officer).
The day concluded with a convivial lunch and a visit to Vilanova dos Infantes, thus bringing to a close a day that combined strategic reflection with socialising.
