Timely change

"Land is a special asset, an important internal resource and a huge source of capital for the country; is the main means of production, especially in forestry. Therefore, we need to review and complete the forestry policy system based on the 2017 Forestry Law, ensure harmony with the Land Law, Biodiversity, and Environmental Protection", Mr Ha Cong Tuan, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development commented.

To be a person who joined from the early days of the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030, Mr. Tuan understands the urgency of amending and supplementing forestry law to ensure the effectiveness of the Land Law (amended).

To overcome the current situation of inconsistent statistics, management, and use of forestry land, as a basis for more sustainable forestry development, Article 9 of the Land Law (amended) stipulates a group of Agricultural land includes 7 types: Land for cultivation of annual crops, including paddy land and land for cultivation of other annual crops; Land for cultivation of perennial trees; Forestry land, including Land for special-use forests, Land for protection forests, and Land for production forests; Land for aquaculture; Land for Concentrated breeding; Land for Salt Production; Other forestry land.

The group of unused land that has been amended is land which has not been determined the usage purpose and has not yet been allocated or leased. This is a new regulation compared to current law. Accordingly, forestry land includes both forested and unforested land after Optimal clear - cutting or empty land, land for bare hills, rocky mountains, land areas with inland water surface interspersed within a sustainable natural ecosystem which can’t be separated, planned for forest development by means of new afforestation, replanting or regeneration.

In addition, Article 79 of the Land Law (amended) also stipulates in detail 32 cases of land expropriation, ensure transparency, specificity, and overcome the general nature of current regulations. "The forestry industry needs to take advantage of this favorable environment to quickly develop high-tech forestry parks; large-scale concentrated forestry product production and processing zones, planting and genetic conservation of specialty and medicinal trees with high value", Mr. Tuan emphasized.

Regarding land allocation for production forests, protection forests, and special-use forests, Mr. Ha Cong Tuan proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urgently review its current regulations and submit them to the State authorities to promulgate the regulations of building infrastructure works to serve forest protection and development on forestry land; migration and resettlement out of strictly protected zones of special-use forests.

4 big driving forces accelerate the forestry economy

The process of planning the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030 to submit to the Prime Minister for approval was very elaborate and lasted several years. At that time, we could not predict or did not fully predict the changes that are taking place now. That has been the persistent consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, high inflation in major economies around the world, and at times of deep inflation has even affected the import and export in general, including the export of wood and forest products.

Along with new factors that the forestry industry needs to identify and adapt to, including Vietnam's strong commitment to the international community on the target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  (Net Zero) in 2050; EU's Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), etc. However, the economic foundation and forestry development are relatively stable in the face of difficulties and challenges. The Government also has many mechanisms and policies for forestry development.

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan presented a speech at the workshop on forestry development strategies on the morning of February 27.

Returning to the Land Law 2024, Mr. Ha Cong Tuan said that there are many tasks in the management of the forestry industry to take advantage of the opportunities of this new Law. Among them, there are requirements for land accumulation to develop raw material zones; unify the State management of forests and forestry land in the land management system; and develop high-tech forestry zones. These are very new regulations in the Land Law 2024. These are opportunities that we need to take advantage of development.

Forestry is still capable of maintaining and restoring its growth momentum after 11 years of implementing the restructure in the forestry sector according to Decision No.1565/QD-BNN-TCLN dated July 8, 2013, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Among them, 9 groups of solutions in the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030 and 8 groups of solutions on Restructuring the forestry industry also remain their value.

"Therefore, we clearly need to identify and determine solutions and new motivations in the current situation, to be able to break through, take advantage of opportunities, and restore forestry economic development", Mr. Tuan emphasized 4 big driving forces.

Firstly, the forestry industry must be more drastic in implementing science and technology applications, especially applications in digital transformation. This is not a new solution, but we are refreshing existing solutions. In which, Focus on forming and promoting unified supply chain management, focusing on applying science and technology and new technology.

Along with that, promoting and forming a unified e-commerce platform for forest products nationwide, not only as a commodity trading floor but at some point also as a tool to combat trading risks, and ensure rights and benefits for sellers and buyers on the platform.

Apply science and technology to form the domestic forest products market with the desired goal of US$5 billion by 2025, because "Let the grass grow under its feet", Mr. Tuan said.

The second driving force is not new but will create a boost, is the policy mechanism. Accordingly, it is necessary to institutionalize many legal regulations to synchronize forestry and land regulations. In particular, the Land Law 2024 is an opportunity to develop the forestry industry, it is not a difficulty or a challenge. In addition, it is necessary to review and soon submit to the Government and request the Government and the National Assembly to pay attention and soon issue specific investment policies for forestry. Along with that, synchronous policy mechanisms in managing traceability of legal wood origin in the new situation.

The third driving force, although it is not completely new, it must be renewed, which is production organization. In particular, to focus on developing chain links, promoting forestry cooperatives to link with businesses and international organizations to implement sustainable forest management, issue forest certificates and deploy CO2 certification.

Forthly, the Forestry sector continues to review policy mechanisms and regulations on forest environmental services in a more complete and detailed manner by international practices and trends. At the same time, we hope that the forestry industry will take the lead in piloting the formation of a CO2 credit market (both voluntary and mandatory),...

The Land Law (amended) requires traceability of wood origin from export markets, climate change, epidemics... requiring the forestry industry to take timely measures.

Cao Cam (Go Viet No 165, April 2024)