On December 1st, the year-end meeting of the members of the Forestry Producers Society was held in Durazno, at the new headquarters of the Monitoring and Dispatch Center (CMD). This traditional gathering brought together member companies, suppliers, authorities, and associates from across the country in an atmosphere of camaraderie and reflection on the shared challenges and achievements of the year. The event coincided with the start of the Forest Fire Prevention and Control Operation (O-PAIF) and a tribute to Martín Sosa Díaz, whose name was officially assigned to the CMD.
FOREST FIRE PROTECTION OPERATION
As in every summer, the Forest Fire Protection Operation (O-PAIF) began the phase that includes nationwide responses in the protection of planted forests of SPF partners.
Voluntarily, more than 100 SPF partner companies, which own 90% of the country’s commercially viable forests, agree to, implement and finance a system that protects them, with the three basic actions to prevent fires: prevent, detect and fight.
This year, that start took place at the new headquarters of the Central Monitoring and Dispatch Center (CMD), in the city of Durazno.
This new (rented) house allows the unification of the camera detection and management areas in a single environment, ensuring a more agile and precise work, improving dispatch times and making the situational analysis more complete, which defines the actions that, although protocolized, must pass through the filter of human knowledge and intervention.
A heartfelt tribute was also paid to Martín Sosa Días, after whom the power plant is named.
Martín paved the way and pushed with conviction and firmness the realization of this joint response mechanism, which distinguishes our country, placing it in a position of reference for the scope and the way in which companies support each other to face a common enemy.
The speeches, filled with emotion and memories, were given by the president of SPF, Eng. Lucía Basso, the coordinator of the Operation, Rafael Sosa, Eng. Simón Berti, Director of Cambium and Clarissa Brugnini, wife of Martín.
Following the ceremony, a luncheon was shared, providing an opportunity for the traditional camaraderie gathering of the association’s members and associates, who arrived from different parts of the country.
Category: Upcoming Events
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SPF year-end meeting, tribute to Martín Sosa Díaz and launch of the Forest Fire Protection Operation
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Forest Breakfast 2024
If forestry advances by 3% in Uruguay, contributions to GDP would grow by US$2.4 billion
Source: El Observador
If the forested area in Uruguay were to increase to 9% of the territory, there would be an additional contribution of US$2.4 billion to the GDP, it was highlighted at the 2024 Forestry Breakfast
If forestry in Uruguay were to advance to 9% of the territory, there would be an additional contribution of US$2.4 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); US$1.9 billion more from exports; and an extra US$110 million for public coffers, highlighted Lucía Basso, president of the Society of Forest Producers (SPF), at the Forestry Breakfast 2024.
The comment, which was framed within a sort of exercise he proposed to illustrate the impact of the sector, was made during his welcoming speech at the 6th Forestry Breakfast, held this Tuesday, September 17, at the Radisson Victoria Plaza, in Montevideo.
Basso, a forestry agronomist, mentioned these data as part of a set of additional achievements beyond the current ones that would be established with an increase in the forested area, and she did not only allude to economic benefits, as will be detailed later.
“Towards the future of forestry” He pointed out, in this regard, that to sustain what has been achieved and grow it is essential to consider three aspects: “That the rules are clear, consistent, non-discretionary and based on objective technical criteria; “streamline the times and prevent bureaucracy from becoming an obstacle”; and “continue improving our infrastructure.”
The 2024 Forestry Breakfast was titled “Towards the future of forestry” and its distinctive feature was the presence and presentation of the agricultural advisors of the political parties with parliamentary representation who will participate in the October elections: Conrado Ferber, for the National Party; Carlos María Uriarte, for the Colorado Party; Mario Bergara, for the Broad Front; Gonzalo Brum, for Open Cabildo; and Carlos Sammarco, for the Independent Party.
Also participating was economist Ignacio Munyo, executive director of the Center for Studies of Economic and Social Reality (Ceres), who updated the data from a study on the evolution of the sector, from the 1980s, when the Forestry Law was established, to the present.
Incidentally, the value of the Forestry Law and the relevance of the State policy sustained during the eight consecutive governments since the resumption of democracy in Uruguay were aspects praised by Basso, who stated that the forestry sector “is positioning itself as the main exporter of goods in Uruguay”, with a firm course towards US$ 3 billion a year.
“More than 30,000 people and 1,800 SMEs across the territory work professionally, with commitment and with true passion for what they do,” he emphasized.
Leading sector in exports After Basso’s presentation, economist Munyo, in the conclusions of the updated Ceres study on the forestry sector, stated that it is already the main export sector of goods.
They brought in US$2.761 billion in the last 12 months, up to August 2024, 22.2% of the total and ahead of beef and meat by-products – with US$2.542 billion and 20.5% of the total – he reported.
He added that there are, in that sense, additional opportunities for expansion, especially in the solid wood segment, with a high impact on the economy.
Regarding sustainability, the CEO of Ceres said that there are advantages to coexisting with livestock farming, multiple examples of circular economy, and international regulations and certifications that ensure sustainable practices.
Regarding tax contributions, he noted that currently, throughout the entire production chain, forestry for the production of cellulose and sawmills, together with dairy farming, are the sectors that pay the most taxes in relation to the hectares allocated to production.
Finally, when considering the challenges, he stated that there are challenges due to automation, which requires continuous training and specialization of human capital, as well as the incorporation of technology and problems of competitiveness and port tariffs.
One fact highlighted by Munyo, who even mentioned that the plaque was ideal to leave visible throughout the day, was the sector’s participation in GDP, which in Uruguay was barely perceptible -0.2%- in 1994 and far from the then 4.5% of a benchmark like Sweden, data that today are at 3.5% for Uruguay and 3.1% for Sweden, while Argentina, for example, remains at 0.1% despite the passage of some 30 years.
This, he emphasized, was made possible by long-term public policies and tax incentives at the outset; institutional stability over time; security and confidence to attract investment; and the participation, precisely, of recognized international investors.
Basso: a “totally positive” assessment. When asked by El Observador about the activity carried out, Basso expressed that “the assessment is totally positive, it was an objective achieved for us.”
He explained that the SPF was “very” interested in having representatives from all political parties attend “and so it was, it was difficult but it was achieved.”
The importance was based on “providing them with first-hand, up-to-date information on all issues in the sector and allowing them to express their views and proposals.”
“All of that was fulfilled and fulfilled well. We saw that in general they were very well prepared and they provided us with input that, for us as a sector, as a society, as a trade association, is very useful,” he stated.
She noted that there were comments related to the three points she cited in her speech – clear rules, bureaucratic delays, and infrastructure – that either reaffirmed what the SPF maintains or provided constructive elements to be considered “when continuing to work on and improve these crucial challenges that, as we mentioned, lie ahead.”
On the other hand, regarding Munyo’s presentation, the president of the SPF commented that “as he himself said, this work was based on real data, not on estimates as on the previous occasion, and from the first graph he was very illustrative, he really showed where the sector stands, why it is the leading sector of the economy, what its growth has been based on, its prospects, for example he clearly illustrated the issue of the tax burden which, as you know, is something that is always being blamed on us and with this work the truth was shown, with the numbers from the DGI, so that’s how it is.”
In short, Basso concluded, “the outcome of this Forestry Breakfast is very positive; we obtained very good input and at the same time made a good contribution to the political system in preparation for the next government. Very good information was provided to the agricultural advisors of the presidential candidates, and we are very happy and very grateful for the support we received.”
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Forestry, economy and environment
November 13, 2023
CERES Consulting presented a report on the multiplier effect of the forestry sector
Source: Rural El País
According to a study carried out by the Center for Studies of Economic and Social Reality (Ceres), the solid growth of forestry industry In Uruguay, over time, the forestry industry not only generates a greater multiplier effect than other sectors of economic activity, but also reflects a commitment to the protection and care of the environment
These achievements cannot be explained without the stability of appropriate public policies, according to this special report by the executive director of Ceres, the Dr. in Economics Ignacio Munyo, presented last Wednesday at the World Trade Center Auditorium as part of the Forestry Breakfast, organized by the Society of Forest Producers (SPF).
The work, entitled “Forestry production in Uruguay: a leading and sustainable sector”, It reveals that the country’s institutional stability and legal guarantees have been the pillars of the sector’s boom, fundamental factors for attracting long-term investments.
Also noteworthy is the implementation of favorable tax policies at the beginning that have boosted productive development and have been supported by governments of different political orientations, only to be withdrawn later in the case of plantations destined for cellulose, according to their growth.
Currently, plantations destined for the pulp industry, the main component of forestry, receive tax treatment comparable to other primary activities.
The study also addresses the development of the forestry industry, based on a comprehensive analysis of the results and projections of aspects such as activity, exports, and job creation, as well as its significant role in multiple facets of the economy. State policies geared toward this relatively new sector of the production matrix, along with the availability of suitable land for tree plantations, form the foundation for sustainable growth.
In turn, forestry activity generates jobs with a lower risk of automation than employment in the rest of the economy.
The forestry industry is not only a relevant sector, but also represents a positive paradigm of the circular economy, which implies that its development approach contributes significantly to reducing resource waste and minimizing waste generation.
This translates into promoting the reuse, repair, recycling, and renewal of products and materials, fostering the creation of a continuous cycle in which resources and products are kept in use for as long as possible.
Environment. From the perspective of global warming, its key role in reducing net carbon emissions is highlighted. Furthermore, the report maintains that the environmental impact is significantly controlled through compliance with international certifications, regulations from the Ministries of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries, and the Environment, which guarantee adequate oversight, in addition to widespread adherence to the National Code of Good Forestry Practices.
The forestry sector is one of the country’s main export sectors, accounting for almost one out of every five dollars of Uruguay’s export earnings. Its growth has been steady in recent decades, and with increased investment and the construction of three large pulp mills, the forestry sector is poised to become the country’s leading export.
The country’s institutional and legal stability, along with supportive policies that transcended government terms, were key to the development of the industry and set Uruguay apart as an investment destination in this sector. These incentives, crucial at the outset, were gradually phased out in the primary pulp and paper phase, in line with the sector’s growth.
Currently, forestry producers for this purpose face a tax burden comparable to other primary activities, in relation to the income they generate.
In 2022, the sector as a whole was the country’s second largest exporter, but it is poised to become the first during 2024, when UPM’s second pulp mill reaches peak production.
The study reaches conclusions of great relevance for development, highlighting that forestry generates significant production chains and has a greater multiplier effect than other sectors of activity.
The ruling states that, with strong international demand and increased investment in the sector, the forestry industry is positioned as a powerful driver for the development of the Uruguayan economy.
A Sustainable Engine
Forestry enjoys strong external demand. For this reason, and because it supports productive decentralization, has a multiplier effect on the economy, and generates jobs with a lower risk of automation, the forestry sector is a powerful engine capable of sustainably driving a new cycle of growth for the Uruguayan economy
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Investment of US$5.5 million and 60 forest fire cameras
November 7, 2023
Source: El Telégrafo
From December 4th until March 31st, 2024, the 2023-2024 Forest Fire Protection Operation will be carried out, with continuous monitoring through 60 smart cameras and a total estimated cost of approximately US$5.5 million. This was announced to EL TELEGRAFO by Rafael Sosa, coordinator of the fire prevention plan for the Society of Forest Producers (SPF), who highlighted the quadrupling of the number of installed smart cameras as the main difference compared to last year’s plan. The number has increased from 15 along the country’s coast—in the previous season—to a total of 60, extending to other areas and significantly expanding the coverage area. “Three more will be added along the coast to cover the entire area of Paysandú, Río Negro, and northern Soriano,” he specified “They will also cover the departments of Rivera, Tacuarembó, and the southern part of Río Negro, all of Durazno, Cerro Largo, and the northern part of Treinta y Tres,” he added. “There will be 60 cameras in total,” which will be “monitored from the Monitoring and Dispatch Center in Durazno, and the southern zone, including the entire southeast and southwest, will continue to be monitored by aircraft, as before,” he explained.
Through these 60 cameras, it is estimated that coverage will reach around 60% of protected forests in the forest area, he commented.
Although now “some of the cameras are detecting and informing the forestry industries” so that they can take measures, the operation in everything that includes “the combat response, the helicopters with the heliborne brigades, (from) the three bases –located in Varela, Tacuarembó and Andresito– and there the complete deployment, begins on December 4 and in principle until March 31 of next year, unless things get very complicated it can be extended for another week,” he explained.
Looking ahead to the 2023-2024 season, he added, “We also made some improvements to the software we use to manage the entire emergency. The fire management system has new software—which received a global award for its features, winning the Special Achievement Award in Geographic Information Systems at the 2023 Esri User Conference—and some operational adjustments, but these are things we normally do every year, fine-tuning the things we believe need improvement.”
Regarding the investment involved, he explained that “the operating cost is around four to four and a half million dollars. Then this year, with the installation of the cameras, it took almost another million dollars to invest in fixed infrastructure.”
“In total, the companies will mobilize about five and a half million dollars to get the operation up and running,” he concluded. -
LATIN AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL AVIATION CONGRESS 2023
September 26
During the 2023 Latin American Agricultural Aviation Congress, organized by ANEPA (National Association of Private Agricultural Aviation Companies), in Termas del Arapey from August 16 to 18, a day of reflection, analysis and continuous improvement of forest fire fighting activity was held
The event included participation from SINAE (National Emergency System), the National Fire Department, the Air Force (DINACIA), Naval Aviation, the Forestry Producers Society, Montes del Plata, UPM, and, of course, ANEPA (National Association of Forestry Producers). The discussions focused on the evolution of forest fire suppression in Uruguay, the organization of the emergency response system, the unified command system, and simulation exercises.
The various work protocol systems were presented, both individually and collectively, for which operations were carried out since the major fires of 2021-2022 in order to anticipate and improve activities with a greater number of available agricultural aircraft.
Analyzing the changes implemented since then and the collaborative efforts, previous fire prevention activities were reviewed. The firefighting efforts carried out during the 2022-2023 season and the success achieved were evaluated, particularly in the coastal area, where the efficiency and effectiveness of using agricultural aircraft in fighting forest fires were evident.
It is not yet possible to quantitatively assess the achievements, due to the nature of the combat, which is fast and highly effective, and which, together with the early detection systems, prevented the fires from spreading.
ANEPA continues to constantly evaluate and train its companies and pilots, bringing advanced technology and perfecting what is here, every day of the year throughout the country, with a unique fleet of more than 100 aircraft.
The challenge is to continue working as a team and improving together every day.
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VISIT TO THE PLANT PROTECTION CONSORTIUM OF CHILE
September 8, 2023
From September 4 to 7, members of the SPF Health Commission visited the Chilean Plant Protection Consortium (CPF). The delegation also included the head of the local biocontrol production service, with which an agreement was signed earlier this year.
The visit proved very fruitful, with particular emphasis on the hospitality of all CPF staff, from management to field and laboratory personnel, where the techniques used for rearing parasitoids of interest, such as Anaphes nitens, were demonstrated. A detailed overview was also provided of CPF’s role within the business community and its implications for Chilean forest health management.
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2020 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF TOMORROW
July 29, 2019
Event August 20 at the Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel
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LIVESTOCK HEALTH IN FOREST AREAS
September 18, 2023
As part of Expo Prado 2023, the SPF organized a talk for different stakeholders involved in livestock and forestry activities to discuss the challenges of livestock health on forest lands
As representatives of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Drs. Ximena Gómez and Marcelo Cortés focused their presentation on the tick control campaign, discussing the current regulatory framework, the epidemiological situation and its evolution at the national level, field work and key measures and points for the control of the parasite.
They highlighted the significant level of resistance to various active ingredients that has been detected, the importance of understanding the biological cycle and persistence of eggs and larvae in pasture, and various management measures that should be observed to achieve success in combating the pest, both in forest and non-forest areas.
Agricultural Engineer Nicolás Barú and Dr. Gonzalo Pereyra (from the company CONSUR) spoke about their experiences in the management of livestock systems associated with forestry, in different areas of the country, with different types of plantations and with different health statuses.
From their experience of more than 20 years developing livestock production on forest lands with different species and production objectives, they highlighted the particularities, advantages, disadvantages and myths that surround this modality.
Advantages mentioned included the availability of shade for livestock (relevant in summer), greater water availability per head due to managing a smaller allocation than in a field without trees, good perimeter fencing, and better access to machinery and infrastructure than in other areas without plantations.
They recognized as an asset the long-term relationships established with the owners of the forest plantations, and the propensity to comply with standards and protocols aimed at environmental protection and sustainability.
They also discussed what they consider relative weaknesses, which they listed as: weed infestation and a tendency towards more fibrous plant species, generally poorly maintained livestock facilities, difficulties in keeping paddocks closed in some situations (planting, harvesting and transport), greater difficulties in moving and gathering herds, decreased weaning percentages, increased percentage of bulls needed and risks of poisoning by Bocopa, which in addition to possible losses due to mortality, generates a problem of lack of grazing options.
They dismissed as myths the comments that attribute less interest in animal welfare to producers who raise livestock in forested areas. According to them, anyone who owns livestock (on any land) strives to make the best possible profit, and therefore does not neglect their animals. Because of this, they do not believe there is any disregard for sanitary regulations, as that would contradict the intended objective.
Livestock farming on forest lands is not the source of health problems; rather, the problems are those that generally exist in the different areas, and although there are relatively long periods (at the beginning of the plantation, or post-harvest), when there is no livestock, the problems reappear when the livestock is reintroduced.
They highlighted that there is a great diversity of forest properties, that there are some costs and risks that increase due to the difficulties of traveling and gathering livestock, and considered it very important to evaluate the conditions of each property prior to entering.
The last speaker at the conference was Eng. Marcelo Ginella from UPM, who presented his vision from the side of companies that provide grazing to different producers and companies, generally neighbors of their properties.
He emphasized the importance of viewing the business from the angle of complementarity, based on open communication and in pursuit of similar goals.
With the livestock producer at the center, he considered that all actors involved, both public and private, must work to achieve the proposed objectives in the fastest and most satisfactory way possible for all.
At the start of this day, the Forest Fire Protection Operation (O-PAIF) made a series of points regarding the importance of preventing forest fires, events with serious consequences for both forests and livestock (due to the elimination of forage).