How appropriate is certification for small-scale timber producers in Melanesia?

Community-based timber production can be a significant source of income for communities in the Melanesian region. Certification is potentially a useful tool to ensure that small-scale producers can gain access to the ecotimber markets of Europe and North America, where prices are often higher than in local markets. This paper looks particularly at the situation in the Solomon Islands, where there is a growing body of experience with community-based timber production. The reasons why certification through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is most convenient for communities in the Solomon..