Ordinance amending the forest code (log export ban)

This ordinance rewrites articles 227 and 244 of the 2001 forest code and repeals its articles 237 and 238. The new article 227 sets the principle that national log production goes first to supply processing plants located in Gabon. Every logging operation must contribute to the growth of the local wood industry, and a joint order of the ministers in charge of forests, the economy and industry sets the volume of logs to be produced according to installed industrial capacity. This is the legal basis for ending exports of unprocessed logs and moving to exports of processed products such as sawn timber, veneer and plywood. The new article 244 lists the taxes and fees due on logging titles and on the marketing and export of forest products, including the felling tax, the area tax and export duties and taxes. The text appeared in Official Journal no. 4 of 1 to 15 April 2010.