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Bell Equipment is releasing new products each designed to add value to an operation and make work easier whether you need precision grading, powerful haulage, or versatile material handling. Source: Timberbiz The much-anticipated Bell Motor Grader, which goes into full production in Q3, is the showstopper. The range offers three base models, available in four-wheel drive or six-wheel drive to suit a customer’s specific needs. These machines are powered by quiet and efficient Cummins engines paired with smooth ZF transmissions, ensuring reliability and fuel efficiency. Designed for longer roading, Bell Graders feature enhanced trunnion bearing life and integrated axle cooling, extending brake life. A precision-sealed circle bearing ensures exceptional grading accuracy while minimising wear and maintenance. The hydromechanical transmission with tandem axle creep provides superior control, while the cantilevered ripper ensures the most effective ripping angle. Additionally, an on-the-go automatic differential lock delivers traction precisely when needed. Bell Equipment is expanding its trusted Series 5 tractor range with a 4×4 200hp model, the Bell 2006AF. Offering more power for an improved power-to-weight ratio and increased fuel economy, this model is a game-changer for those requiring a robust and efficient agricultural workhorse. Powered by a robust and reliable John Deere engine that delivers 785Nm of torque through an Allison automatic transmission, the 2006AF achieves haul speeds of up to 40km/h and handles undulating terrain with ease, thanks to its automatic 4×4 feature, which detects wheelspin and engages 4×4 until full grip is restored. Rear disc brakes provide safe and effective braking performance. A prototype has already clocked more than 5,000 hours hauling 40-tonne loads of timber on haul cycles of up to 65km and had earned the title of “the best machine on site.”  

The European Commission has recently unveiled its new political agenda prioritizing simplification and reducing administrative burdens to boost competitiveness for businesses. At the same time, the Commission has reaffirmed that delivering on the EU Green Deal remains a priority. Source: Timberbiz The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is one of the landmark EU Green Deal initiatives – and it serves as a catalyst for action to fight deforestation in Europe and globally. At FSC, they believe that sustainability and competitiveness goals can and must go hand in hand. Calls for regulatory simplification should not undermine the ambitions to halt deforestation and forest degradation. Originally set to apply in December 2024, the EUDR is now scheduled to enter into force at the end of 2025. Alongside the delay, discussions on simplification measures have been gaining momentum as part of the broader EU omnibus simplification package. However, simplification and delays must not translate into inaction. Now is the time to test solutions, build partnerships, and remain committed to forests. Businesses have a unique opportunity to lead the way, demonstrating that deforestation-free supply chains are not only possible but can also become a driver of long-term market resilience. Below is a selection of tools and actions to start making EUDR a reality: New EU Commission website The EU Commission has revamped its EUDR webpage. It offers updated information and tools for implementation. Staying informed is the first step for compliance preparation. EU guide on value chain scenarios by company type A new EU Commission document provides an overview of how obligations apply, depending on company type (operator/trader), size, and position in the supply chain within the EU. The guide illustrates 10 different supply chain scenarios to help companies identify their obligations. EUDR – myth vs reality guidance EUDR is often surrounded by misconceptions. For example, compliance does not necessarily mean excessive paperwork—due diligence can be managed online, with information submitted once in the EU Information System and later reused. The EU information system Due diligence statements must be submitted electronically in the EUDR Information System, where national authorities will verify compliance. The system will feature an Application Programming Interface (API) to ensure interoperability with emerging tech tools and existing business management systems. Videos and trainings explaining how the system works are available here. FSC is developing a new technology based on blockchain, FSC Trace, which will facilitate and simplify data collection and automatic uploads for compliance. EUDR Competent Authorities (CAs) EU Member States have designated almost all authorities responsible for enforcing EUDR. These authorities will verify information submitted by operators and traders, in and outside the EU, request clarifications, restrict non-compliant products, and impose penalties. EUDR guidance document & new FAQs The European Commission has tabled a non-binding guidance document to support harmonized EUDR implementation. It clarifies key aspects such as traceability, legality, and role of certification schemes, such as FSC, in supporting compliance. The document does not substitute the law and can be used a reference for operators, traders, and authorities. The Commission has also updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to address stakeholders’ concerns. FAQs are regularly updated, make sure to review them. Businesses can already take proactive steps, such as improving supply chain transparency, conducting risk assessments, establishing due diligence processes, engaging with smallholders and suppliers, educating internal teams, and considering certification with an EUDR-aligned system relevant to their products. FSC is committed to fighting deforestation and supporting companies in their journey towards EUDR compliance. FSC’s rigorous certification already lays down a strong foundation, serving as a bridge between sustainability goals and regulatory needs. FSC’s tailored EUDR-aligned solutions provide a comprehensive, fully aligned approach that streamlines compliance, offering detailed risk assessments and traceability solutions beyond deforestation and helping businesses meet evolving environmental and social requirements. Next steps Monitor EU Commission updates – Stay informed about evolving EUDR tools and updates. Leverage FSC resources – Leverage FSC certifications and solutions to streamline compliance efforts whilst strengthening sustainability performance. Take action now – Test and implement solutions to demonstrate your commitment The EUDR delay offers more time to ensure effective implementation – not a reason to wait. By preparing early, building partnerships and leveraging new and existing tools to simplify processes, companies can turn compliance into an opportunity. The path to deforestation-free supply chains combines streamlined compliance without compromising sustainability ambitions. Despite uncertainties, we can all act today to make the EUDR a reality.

Lawmakers have moved forward a controversial logging bill that could open the state up to lawsuits if Oregon doesn’t log enough timber in a given year. Source: OPB Representatives in the House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously advanced House Bill 3103is. The bill would allow counties and the timber industry to sue the state forester if Oregon logs less than the Department of Forestry forecasts in its once-a-decade estimates. There are exceptions if a large mass of trees is destroyed by wildfires, diseases or storms. “Really, this is a timber industry way of creating more litigation against the state,” Cascadia Wildlands attorney Nick Cady said. The Oregon Department of Forestry manages 745,000 acres of forestlands across 15 counties. Back in the late 1930s, counties reclaimed ownership of these lands after they went into foreclosure, but these forested areas couldn’t generate property taxes under county ownership. So, state lawmakers reached deals with these counties, giving them the option to transfer these lands to the state in exchange for 64% of logging revenues in perpetuity. Every decade, the Oregon Department of Forestry estimates how much timber it could log from state land for the next 10 years. Timber industry representatives and county officials say the department tends to over-promise and under deliver, making it difficult for them to plan ahead. More than 1,160 people submitted written testimony in response to the bill, and of those, 80% opposed it. Most of these opponents, including many environmental nonprofits, said they were concerned the bill would undermine state environmental regulations meant to protect threatened and endangered species including the state’s Western Habitat Conservation Plan, which is awaiting federal approval. The bill’s five sponsors, all Republicans, added an amendment. The addition preserves the state’s ability to implement other environmental regulations, like the Habitat Conservation Plan. That placated the environmental nonprofit Wild Salmon Centre, which moved its stance to neutral with this amendment. That was enough to pull some Democrats in the committee to vote for the bill. “I am still uncomfortable with the judicial review that’s in the bill,” Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, said. “But I do appreciate the good-spirited efforts to bring the Wild Salmon Centre to neutral with changes in the bill, so I will support the bill.” Some other conservation groups remain against the bill as it stands, including Oregon Wild and Cascadia Wildlands. “This is just going to create a kind of an endless stream of litigation for the foreseeable future,” Mr Cady said. “I don’t think it’s in Oregonian’s interest to pay a bunch of timber industry lawyers and the state’s lawyers to fight a nonstop, continuous fight over state harvest levels.” It’s a strange time to approve new laws that would impact the state forester, a position that is currently vacant. Interim deputy state forester Kate Skinner took over as acting state forester when Cal Mukumoto abruptly resigned in January. HB 3103 now moves to the Ways and Means committee, which will decide whether to move it to the House floor for a full vote.