The decision, made at the fifth International Forest Owners’ Congress in Finland, means IFFA will be able to apply for NGO status in forest-related processes.
IFFA chairman Robert Simpson from the US said that previously no recognised representative of family forest owners had been involved in making international decisions related to forests.
“One thing we all have to face is how to get the next generation involved with and interested in forests,” he added.
The three-day congress attracted more than 100 representatives from 25 countries – making it the biggest to date.
