The National Forest Policy, 2002This is the draft Forest Policy and as such is a working document and not a formal policy document. It should not be interpreted as the policy of the Government of Swaziland or the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives until it has been finally agreed and adopted. [ TABLE OF CONTENTS | FOREWORD | PREAMBLE | 1 INTRODUCTION | 2 ISSUES AND POLICY STATEMENTS ~ 2.1 Industrial Forestry ~ 2.2 Community Forestry ~ 2.3 Urban forestry ~ 2.4 Natural forests and woodlands | 3 INSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL AND PLANNING ARRANGEMENTS | APPENDICES ] 1 INTRODUCTION1.1 Justification for the National Forest PolicyThe justification for the National Forest Policy is the general recognition of the importance and value of forestry and the utilisation of forest and woodland resources in Swaziland. Swaziland has a large and successful industrial forestry sector, but faces serious problems of deforestation and degradation of her indigenous forests and woodlands. The forest inventory of 1999 indicates that Swaziland has 45 percent coverage of forests and woodlands, of which natural forests cover 2.2 percent, natural woodlands 22.0 percent, natural bushlands 13.4 percent, wattle forests 1.4 percent and plantation forests 6.4 percent. Forestry is not the only land use of these forests and woodlands. Other land utilisation includes extraction of a variety of forest products, grazing, agro-forestry, nature protection and tourism. Climatic conditions in Swaziland, with high rainfall and warm temperatures, are very suitable for commercial growing of a specific variety of trees, particularly in the Highveld. The first trees for commercial production were planted in 1949, and areas under forest have since steadily extended. The plantation forest category is the large-scale commercial sector based on pine and eucalyptus production with a high level of management. Wattle forestry started mainly as a small-scale commercial activity, however management and distribution of most wattle forests have deteriorated over the past years, which has resulted in uncontrolled wattle growth and spreading. The commercial forestry and related processing industry forms a very important part of the economy of Swaziland, contributing approximately 15 percent to GDP, mainly through exports. The forestry sector, including the secondary processing sector, provides employment to approximately 8 000 people, which is 8 percent of total formal employment in Swaziland. Commercial forestry in Swaziland is entirely run by private companies, of which Sappi-Usutu, Mondi Forest and Shiselweni Forestry Company are the largest. These three companies, together with some smaller ones, manage a total area of about 130 000 ha covered by forest plantations. Of this total area, about 25 000 ha (twenty percent) is unplanted and used for infrastructure and for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems. Main species are pine (predominantly Pinus patula, but also P. radiata and P. taeda) and eucalyptus (mainly Eucalyptus salinga and E. grandis), covering about 80 and 20 percent respectively of the planted area. The productivity is relatively high, about 15-20 cubic metres/ha per annum for pine. Overall annual yield is approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of wood with a total value of about E650 million, which is largely exported as pulp, logs and timber. The current deforestation and degradation of the natural forest and woodland areas are caused by a combination of factors such as conversion of land to agriculture, uncontrolled extraction of forest products from communal land and large livestock populations. Forest degradation is further compounded by a number of underlying socio-economic conditions, including increasing population pressure, that counteract rational utilisation of forest and woodlands. The importance of the indigenous forest and woodlands in Swaziland is not fully recognised, and little is documented about the present utilisation and potential value, e.g. for cultural and medicinal purposes. The national forest authorities have inadequate capacity and budgets to analyse, plan and manage the forest resources. Consequently, the broadly formulated national forest policies that exist have not been transformed into action plans, and similarly the forest legislation, which is considered fragmented and insufficient to enforce national policies, has not been revised for a long time. Developing effective forest policies and strategies to promote sustainable and integrated development involves an array of difficult choices. For example, it is known that forest clearing for crops - notably sugarcane - and pasture, unsustainable cutting for fuelwood, uncontrolled commercial logging for timber and expanding infrastructure development all contribute to forest degradation. However, the fundamental problem faced by policy-makers is how to address the associated problems. These include poverty, hunger, access to land, lack of jobs and income-generating opportunities as well as growing economic demands for forest goods and services. The role and importance of forests and forestry has evolved tremendously over the past two decades, and is expected to expand its functions even more in the future. Traditionally, forestry has largely focused on industrial production, but today its impact on social and environmental matters is fully recognised. The proper use and management of forest and woodland resources is essential to sustain the livelihoods of rural communities. Forestry today is an integral part of most land use systems, hence it must be considered in national planning as a priority in resource allocation. Cross-sectoral working relationships and integrated approaches in forest planning are key elements in today’s holistic development strategies. These development trends are also clearly occurring in Swaziland, and they consequently enhance the importance and relevance of forestry, such as in the following areas of interest:
1.2 Forest policy visionIn the past Government has tended to focus on industrial forest resources. However, since the adoption of the Principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests originating from the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the world view of what constitutes forestry has been dramatically widened. This is also reflected by the changed approach of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) towards forestry development as expressed by the objectives, guiding principles and forest management arrangements of the SADC Forest Protocol. All policies in Swaziland should be relevant to the Mission of the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland. The current mission statement is "to provide a climate and infrastructure that will progressively maximise the quality and security of life of the people of Swaziland and make the best use of the country’s natural and human resources". The vision of the National Forest Policy should also be contributory to the vision of the National Development Strategy (NDS). The NDS vision is that "by the year 2022, the Kingdom of Swaziland will be in the top 10% of the medium human development group of countries founded on sustainable economic development, social justice and political stability". The draft National Land Policy (NLP) and the draft National Environmental Policy (NEP) are the links between the NDS and the National Forest Policy. The vision of the NLP is "to maximise benefits to the entire society from land on a sustainable basis". The main goal of the NEP is "to promote the enhancement, protection and conservation of the environment and the attainment of sustainable development in Swaziland". Taking the above statements into account, the guiding vision for the National Forest Policy is: To achieve efficient, profitable and sustainable management and utilisation of forest resources for the benefit of the entire society, and to increase the role of forestry in environmental protection, conservation of plant and animal genetic resources and rehabilitation of degraded land. 1.3 Forest policy objectivesThe multiple use of forests is an integral part of modern forest management as it provides for a wide range of uses and opportunities. The National Forest Policy has objectives that not only cover the industrial forest sector but also the development of community forestry and the sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands. The policy objectives of the National Forest Policy relate to objectives as defined for other national policies and strategies, in particular the National Development Strategy, the National Land Policy (draft), the National Environmental Policy (draft) and the National Biodiversity Strategy (draft).
The objectives will be pursued through the sustainable management of four strategic forestry areas, namely industrial forestry, community forestry, urban forestry and natural forest and woodland management (see chapter 2). These four areas incorporate important trans-sectoral areas of interest, including biodiversity protection, tourism development, energy consumption and watershed management. 1.4 Forest Policy PrinciplesThe policy is based upon the following principles:
1.5 National policy contextOver recent years, the Government of Swaziland has been formulating policies and strategies at several levels, towards a more pro-active approach to the considerable opportunities and difficulties ahead. The long-term plan to 2022 is contained within the National Development Strategy (NDS). All other policies and strategies are to facilitate the vision of the NDS, and are to be co-ordinated by the Public Policy Co-ordination Unit. The National Forest Policy relates in particular to two other Policies, namely the National Land Policy (draft), and the National Environmental Policy (draft), both of which have a higher place in the hierarchy of National Policies. Both NLP and NEP are nested immediately under the NDS. The National Forest Policy occurs at the level under these two, at the same level of e.g. Agriculture, Biodiversity, Energy and Tourism. For that reason the National Forest Policy should be consistent with the broad policy framework set out in the higher level policies. The existing relevant policies and strategies are presented in two broad groupings, the first with a focus on national development and the second more related to sectoral development. 1.5.1 National policies and strategies1.5.1.1 The National Development Strategy (NDS), 1999The National Development Strategy, which was officially launched in August 1999, identifies environmental protection as a cornerstone in the national development process. The Strategy is laid out in seven main areas of development and eight categories for sectoral strategies to those areas, among which is Agriculture, Land and Rural Development, which includes Forestry. The main statements relevant to forestry are:
1.5.1.2 The draft National Land Policy (NLP), 2000The draft National Land Policy (NLP) translates the vision of the NDS into a land-related context. The NLP addresses nation-wide issues under six headings, namely Human Rights Issues and Policies, Cultural Issues and Policies, Land Tenure Issues and Policies, Land Use and Land Management Issues and Policies, Land Market Issues and Policies and Land Administration Issues and Policies. So for each issue addressed within these categories, there are policies to resolve the issue. Following the level of NLP, there is an intermediate level of rural, peri-urban and urban land policies, which are to focus more narrowly on these areas. Forestry is at the next policy level, which policies are to be strongly focused on their particular subjects, the broader issues having already been addressed by the broader policies. An initiative that has been linked with the draft NLP for public consultation purposes is a proposal to introduce 99-year leases on Swazi Nation Land (SNL). Although there are complex issues involved, the success of this proposal will result in stronger property rights, with concomitant increased potential for commercial ventures on SNL, including smallholder forestry. 1.5.1.3 The draft National Environment Policy (NEP), 1999Environmental protection is a central component in all of the eight sectors of the NDS and this is reflected by the principles identified in the National Environment Policy (NEP). Emerging from the SEAP (see section 1.5.1.4), the draft NEP 1999 and the Environmental Management Bill 2001 (see section 1.6.1.2) are intended to be the national policy to protect and conserve the environment and to attain sustainable development in Swaziland. The most direct reference to forestry, which is an integral part of the environment affected by the policy, is the ‘user-pays’ principle, which is explained as follows. Many natural resources including land, indigenous forestry, and water are free or under-priced, which leads to over-use and degradation or depletion. The costs and benefits of resource use should be internalised through the use of clearly defined property rights, providing ‘green’ subsidies to encourage environmentally beneficial behaviour and ‘brown’ taxes and charges to increase the cost of activities which pollute or otherwise degrade the environment. 1.5.1.4 The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP), 1997The Swaziland Environmental Action Plan follows the vision of the NDS, and is divided into two parts, the first being the actual action plan, and the second an overall land and environment policy framework. Both the NDS and the SEAP are concerned with sustainable development, with the NDS focusing more on the 'development' side and the SEAP more on the 'sustainable' side. In this context, the National Forest Policy has the freedom to improve upon any forestry-specific recommendations already made in the NDS or SEAP. 1.5.1.5 The draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), 2001Although initiated by the International Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by Swaziland in 1994, the BSAP is an integral part of the SEAP. The BSAP recognises that the biodiversity in Swaziland is unusual for a country so small; six physiographic zones are normally spread over a much wider area. As is to be expected with the importance of forestry in the biosphere, references to forestry also pervade this document. It makes reference to forestry’s importance in social value systems, both in the formal economic and traditional senses. It recognises uncontrolled cutting of wood as one of the six serious threats to the habitat; the loss of indigenous trees is also the loss of shelter for birds, animals, etc. 1.5.1.6 The National Physical Development Plan (NPDP), 1996The National Physical Development Plan 1996-2006 (NPDP) envisions spatial dimensions of development in Swaziland. It makes particular reference to plantation forestry, noting the potential for expansion of commercial forestry plantations in areas around Piggs Peak, Bhunya and Nhlangano. It also refers to the size and value of the commercial timber resource and its effect on the indigenous flora. Areas of protection-worthy forests, for example, could be given the force of law by such plans. 1.5.1.7 The draft National Population Policy Framework for Swaziland, 2000The draft National Population Policy Framework for Swaziland addresses the rapid population growth in relation to a complex of related issues, including changing health conditions and care, worsening unemployment, increased consumption needs and gender equity. The main goal of the draft Policy is to improve the quality of life by influencing the demographic trends as well as respond to challenges such as HIV/AIDS. The draft Policy defines Policy Objectives, Policy Targets and Policy Strategies as the major elements of its Framework. It is envisaged that the implementation of the Policy shall involve a wide range of multi-sectoral activities at national, regional and community levels. The environment is recognised as an important factor in population matters. The draft Policy notes with concern the increasing environmental degradation, with increased population pressure as one of its main underlying causes. The draft Policy recommends to promote community forests and land reclamation programmes, as well as review of cultural practices that have a negative influence on the environment. High incidence of poverty and malnutrition are related to high levels of food insecurity. Agriculture and forestry are recognised as important sectors with respect to income and employment. The draft Policy recommends intensification and diversification of production to improve food security and nutrition levels. 1.5.2 Sectoral policies and strategies1.5.2.1 The Urban Government Policy, 1996The Urban Government Policy sets out definitions, basic functions, services and other important management aspects of the urban areas. The development of parks, trees and open space is mentioned as part of the public facilities. The Policy indicates that a strategic planning process will be implemented to guide infrastructure and community development. Dynamic structure plans will involve the active participation of citizens, and accommodate their needs, e.g. through advisory boards on parks and recreation. As such the Policy provides for initiatives with regard to the development of urban forest and other green areas. 1.5.2.2 The draft Peri-urban Growth Policy, 1997The most important aspect of this draft policy from a forestry perspective is the institution of community-based process management in peri-urban areas, including the establishment of spatial plans based upon recognised principles of sustainable development. Protection-worthy areas can gain the protection of the rule of law by such means. Further, the establishment of forests is seen as a means of land use while holding land for later urban development [The Peri-Urban Growth Policy] 1.5.2.3 The draft Tourism Policy, 2000The vision of this draft policy is to develop the tourism sector as a national priority in a sustainable and acceptable manner to the continued improvement of the quality of life in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Although not addressing forestry directly, there is no question that forests, particularly indigenous forests underpin one of Swaziland’s three key features for tourism purposes. Forests and woodlands are integral part of the overall physical landscape of the country and the attractiveness of the largely intact natural environment [The Tourism Policy]. 1.5.2.4 The draft Rural Resettlement Policy, 2001The draft Rural Resettlement Policy provides guidelines for the implementation of resettlement programmes. The draft Policy does not contain statements directly relating to forests and woodlands, however the section on land use practices includes statements on environmental degradation and mitigation measures, which should be inclusive of forests. Compensation arrangements for resettlements are to be based on compensation of lost rights and assets, which should include trees. Under the institutional framework Communal Forest Resources Committees are proposed as subcommittees of Rural Land Development Committees, to ensure sustainable and equitable utilisation of communal natural forest resources. 1.5.2.5 The Livestock Development Policy, 1995Forests and woodlands, in particular communal Swazi Nation Land areas, are grazing and browsing resources for herbivores. Several of the objectives of the Livestock Development Policy have a bearing on the use and management of forest resources, namely to introduce intensive production technologies and improved range management practices based upon community participation, and improve pasture and fodder production and the use of supplemental feeding. Recommendations relevant to forestry include the fencing of grazing land, allowing rotational grazing, and the sustainable use of rangelands [The National Livestock Development Policy]. 1.5.2.6 The draft National Water Policy, 2000 and Bill, 2001As there is pressure on the water resource from many directions, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the draft National Water Policy and Bill intend to deal with matters of general water policies and water management, including apportionment. The Policy calls for the representation of stakeholders in water basin authorities and other bodies responsible for watershed management. A key issue is the pricing of water, which will impact on forests in many different ways. The 2001 Bill was gazetted in March 2001 and awaits approval by parliament [The National Water Policy]. 1.5.2.7 The draft National Energy Policy, 2001The National Energy Policy is currently in the process of being formulated as part of the Swaziland National Energy Policy Project. Policy issues and options are discussed in the 2001 draft Policy Options Paper. The policy formulation covers a wide range of issues and topics, including security of energy supply, indigenous resources for the generation of energy, energy saving and efficiency, handling and use of petroleum products, supply and use of electricity, and the overall governance of the energy sector. Of particular relevance to forestry are the statements on indigenous resources and the use of energy in areas not connected to grid electricity, which includes fuelwood from woodlots and forests. 1.5.2.8 The draft Rural Electrification Policy, 2001This policy is subsidiary to the National Energy Policy. The vision of the Policy is that access to energy is made available to all by 2010, and access to electricity for all by 2022. The Policy has identified priorities for schools, health care and other public services, and also for important development areas. The objective most relevant to forestry is to provide access to electricity to as many homesteads as possible in order to slow down the rate of fuelwood consumption. 1.5.2.9 The National Action Program of the Convention to Combat Desertification (NAP), 1998The ratification of the Convention to Combat Desertification in 1996 by Swaziland has resulted in the formulation of a National Action Program (NAP) in 1998. The most relevant observation on forestry is that there are no regulations and guidelines on the cutting of trees and land clearance in the country. As a result, deforestation is on the increase in Swaziland and this situation needs to be addressed urgently. The environmental impacts are manifested in severe soil erosion and water depletion. People cut trees for fuelwood, building, craft and medicinal purposes. There is a need to develop and encourage the use of alternative sources of energy in the country [The National Action Program of the Convention to Combat Desertification]. 1.5.2.10 National Initiatives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1996Swaziland is a signatory to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (1996). What happens in the world in general is likely to have a far more marked influence on Swaziland’s climate than what happens within Swaziland. Although small in area, Swaziland is not small in either its physical and biological diversity and climatic changes will have an impact on this diversity. The global climatic extremities that occurred throughout the 1990s also affected Swaziland’s biosphere. Gradualist models of climate change indicate threats to indigenous forests. It has been realised that forests have a greater influence upon the global climate, and hence upon climate change, than hitherto generally appreciated. Swaziland’s response to the Framework Convention is addressed in studies on climate vulnerability and its relationship with forests and ecosystems [Swaziland's First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]. 1.6 Existing LegislationThe legislation dealing explicitly with forests and forestry share the main shortcomings of the legal framework for environmental management in general in Swaziland. The Acts considered most relevant to forestry are briefly discussed in two groupings, namely Acts that create institutions and Acts that deal with flora protection and management. A full overview of relevant Acts is given in Appendix 1. 1.6.1 Institutional Acts1.6.1.1 The Natural Resources Act 71/1951This Act is to provide for the conservation and improvements of the natural resources and for other matters incidental thereto. Many of the functions of the Act remained with the Ministry responsible for agriculture, making implementation and control by the Natural Resources Board (NRB) extremely difficult. Of late the NRB has tended to concentrate on rural sub-divisions following identification of NRB as the responsible authority in terms of the Sub-Division of Land Act 7/1957. The NRB also administer the Control of the Tree Planting Act 7/1972. Discussions confirm that the Act is old and does not take into consideration present day situations and conditions. Over the years there has been considerable overlapping both with regard to the general provisions and to the Board. For example, other statutory Boards with similar or conflicting functions have been established including the Water Apportionment Board (established by the Water Act 1968), the Land Speculation Control Board (established by the Land Speculation Act 1972) and the National Trust Commission (established by the Trust Commission Act 1972). In addition, the Swaziland Environment Act 1992 was intended to be the umbrella statute for conservation matters but it appears that the control and modernisation of the existing boards and legislation has not been adequately addressed. Also in 1951, Regulations were issued under this Act prohibiting anyone from building, planting crops, or destroying natural vegetation within 100 feet (approximately 30 metres) of a bank or verge of a public stream. 1.6.1.2 The Swaziland Environment Authority Act 15/1992This Act makes provision for the establishment of the Swaziland Environment Authority, its functions and powers, composition, meetings, appointment of Director, preparation of annual reports, remuneration of members, offences and fines, appeals by aggrieved persons, making of regulations, and supremacy. Important Regulations have been added to this Act, namely the Environmental Audit, Assessment and Review Regulations 2000 and the Waste Regulations 2000 [Swaziland Environment Authority Act, 1992]. The 2001 Swaziland Environmental Management Bill Environment Management Bill, to replace the Swaziland Environment Authority Act, was gazetted in May 2001. The 1999 draft National Environment Policy has been developed simultaneously with the 2001 Bill (see section 1.5.1.3). The objectives of the Bill most relevant to forestry are (1) to establish a framework for environmental protection and the integrated management of natural resources on a sustainable basis, and (2) establish the National Environment Fund. 1.6.1.3 The Swazi Administration Order 6/1998This order, assented to by His Majesty on 13th November 1998, provides the incorporation of the law governing appointment, removal and functions of Chiefs and Tindvuna into the law relating to the administration of Swazi Affairs. It repeals the 1950 Act. Under section 27 of the Order, the ‘Ngwenyama’ provides the Chiefs with administrative control over:
1.6.2 Flora Protection and Management Acts1.6.2.1 The Flora Protection Act 5/2001This is an Act to protect indigenous flora and to provide for matters incidental thereto. The 2001 Act replaces the 1952 Act. The Act prohibits any person from plucking, gathering, cutting, uprooting, injuring, breaking or destroying a plant of any species that is listed in the Schedule to the Act. The Minister responsible for agriculture is empowered to establish and extend flora reserves and botanical gardens. What is significantly different about the new Act as compared to the 1952 Act is a requirement that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out in respect of any activity that would impact on indigenous flora [The Flora Protection Act, 2000]. 1.6.2.2 The Control of Tree Planting Act 7/1972This is an Act to provide for the control of the planting of certain trees grown for commercial purposes on Title Deed Land (TDL) and for matters incidental thereto. It is understood that this Act was introduced to discourage the growing of plantations and forests on prime agricultural land and has been useful in this regard. The main problems have however been enforcement and the provision in the second schedule that land already owned by timber companies is exempt from control. The Act therefore only checks the growth of plantations but does not provide for prime land to be reclaimed for agricultural purposes. 1.7 International linkages1.7.1 International initiatives and forest principlesAt the global level, deforestation was undisputedly one of the major environmental issues of the 20th century, and is likely to be even more important in the 21st. Environmental problems were addressed at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), culminating in Agenda 21. A set of principles specifically related to forestry emanated from UNCED, entitled "Non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests". These Forest Principles deal with all basic aspects of forestry and form a very suitable international framework. A summary of the most relevant aspects for Swaziland is given in Appendix 2. There is a host of international programmes addressing various aspects relating to forestry. The present umbrella for all forestry related initiatives is the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF), which reports to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) of the United Nations. The IFF was established in 1997, and is a follow-up to the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) established in 1995. Such initiatives are based upon the core concept of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), established in 2000, is to further develop and consolidate international forest issues and to recommend appropriate future arrangements and co-operative mechanisms to achieve sustainable forest management. 1.7.2 International conventionsSwaziland is a signatory to international conventions and agreements emanating from UNCED and other occasions, and has ratified such conventions. Details of conventions and agreements Swaziland has an obligation to or is involved in are given in Appendix 2. The conventions most relevant to forestry are:
1.7.3 The Forest Protocol of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)The 1992 Treaty establishing the Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which Swaziland is a member, has called for the development of sector protocols to foster and enhance economic integration and co-operation in the region. The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sector of SADC has embarked on the development and formulation of a sector protocol. As part of this process, the Forestry sub-sector has prepared a draft Forestry Protocol to guide the sustainable management, conservation, utilisation and sustainable development of forest resources in the SADC region. The protocol addresses issues such as forestry research, training and education, human resources development, information management, as well as institutional and legal framework matters including trans-boundary concerns. The draft Forestry Protocol provides for the formulation of national forest policies, national forestry programmes and forest legislation, which should be kept in harmony with the guiding principles and regulatory elements and framework of the SADC Protocol. Other sub-sector protocols of relevance and significance to the forestry sub-sector include the Fisheries, Wildlife, Energy and Trade Protocols, which have been signed and ratified by member states, or are still under formulation. 1.7.4 International trade agreementsThe marketing and trade of forest products, like many other economic export commodities such as sugar, beef and other products, are subject to changing regional and international trade agreements. For a long time export timber products have been sold through preferential agreements within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), or with the European Union, the United States of America and other African and Asian countries. However, current arrangements as set out by the SADC Trade Protocol and the World Trade Organization (WTO) do advocate trade liberalisation, which means that trade of forest products will accordingly be subjected to the conditions of these agreements and protocols. To anticipate future trends and changing developments, it is important that the national marketing and trade intelligence is further enhanced, with the inclusion of statistical capabilities. This page was last updated on 25 November 2004 |