Forest Stewardship Council® Certification
In January 2013 Mark Seed Forest & Land Management (MSFLM) were certified by the ‘Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Licence Code (FSC-C114375)’. This service involves the payment of a group membership fee and yearly subscription, in addition to ongoing management costs.
The FSC logo is a sign of well managed woodlands, and can be carried on all timber products from certified woodlands. An increasing number of industries such as DIY stores, furniture manufacturers etc. are demanding FSC timber products. However, very few firms offer this service. As a result, timber from FSC certified woodlands are realising much greater market prices.
Certification is possible through the MSFLM Group Scheme, whereby MSFLM will ensure that woodlands are being managed to these FSC Principles and assessed against UKWAS and the Soil Association Woodmark Group (Multiple Site) Certification Standard.
“Forest management operations shall encourage the efficient use of the forest’s multiple products and services to ensure economic viability and a wide range of environmental and social benefits.”
– FSC website (www.fsc-uk.org), 8th November 2012
How to join
Woodlands managed by MSFLM may become FSC certified.
To join, potential clients will need to:
- Agree to allow MSFLM to manage your woodland to the criteria of the FSC.
- Agree to abide by the rules of the MSFLM Group Scheme.
- Allow MSFLM to advise on deer management within your woodlands, or prove that existing control methods are already in place.
- Assessment to the UKWAS and Woodmark standards with closing out of any Corrective Action Request (CAR)
- Sign and return the “Declaration of Intent” form.
- Pay an initial Membership Fee at the date of joining, followed by an annual subscription fee. MSFLM has a pricing structure to cover the FSC costs, assessments and subscriptions which is calculated on a cost per hectare.
- Inform all stakeholders that the woodlands/forestry areas are being assessed. Once all stakeholders responses have been received or an appropriate time frame for responses to be received (one calendar month – 6 weeks from signing of the “Declaration of Intent”) and stakeholders have been informed that the assessment period has been concluded.
The property can be officially made a group member and the certificating body Woodmark must be informed immediately or within one month.
You can view or download a PDF factsheet here: FSC Certification Factsheet
