INTERNATIONAL meetings concerned with forestry have on many occasions urged FAO to undertake a general survey of forest co-operatives.
This issue of Unasylva appears in answer to that request. The paper was not intended to furnish a guide to countries which, having no such organizations for mutual help, might wish to set them up. It was conceived as an attempt to assess the value and effectiveness of co-operatives as an instrument in the application of national forest policies.
Given this approach, it soon became clear that the survey could not be limited to co-operatives alone - although these must have pride of place - but would have to cover all forms of forestry associations. Certain associations, as will be seem greatly influence not only the application but even the formulation of forest policies. It is in order to exemplify this that the writer. has at times dwelt somewhat at length upon details of the working and activities of such organizations. In addition, it is sometimes very difficult to draw a clear dividing line between association and co-operative. Finally, associations and co-operatives concerned strictly with forestry are not the only ones to influence the development and application of forest policies. While the paper has not sought to go deeply into this matter, it was necessary to mention associations with more general aims, and also industrial and trade associations.
Acknowledgment is due to many who contributed to the preparation of this survey. Whenever FAO requested information, forest services readily furnished all details that might be of use. Special thanks are due to Zentralforstdirektor Dr. S. Duschek, who prepared a valuable report on Central European forest co-operatives; to Professor R. Nagata and Assistant Professors S. Surda and T. Arizizu of Tokyo University, whose account of Japanese co-operatives clarified the complexity of the organization and working operation of bodies in that country; and, lastly, to Länsjägmastere R. Hjorth, who provided a detailed survey of forest co operatives in northern Europe.
It must be pointed out that the subject dealt with is developing rapidly. Especially is there rapid change and progress in regard to forest co-operatives. New associations are formed, others merge or are absorbed, some disappear or reappear as companies governed by other rules and with other aims. Hence the reader must make allowances if the survey does not adequately cover all the most recent developments.
By courtesy of E. S. Paatero
By courtesy of H. Winkelmann.
