Analysis of Policy and Status of the Logging Operation System for Forest Biomass
This study was conducted to analyze the current situation of the logging operation system and to suggest an effective policy plan to secure important raw materials for the use of forest biomass. The dissemination of forestry mechanization and the establishment of the logging operation are important tasks to establish a system and reduce costs of timber production by increasing the use of forest biomass; this includes increasing the supply of timber for domestic products and increasing the production of wood chips and wood pellets. In particular, the efficiency of steep-slopes catenary system machinery for yarding such as tower-yarder and swing-yarder should be urgently supplied to cope with forest production and supply of forest biomass energy resources. In addition, it is necessary to continuously promote the dissemination of high-performance forestry machinery as is being done in Japan. At the same time, instead of distributing or retaining the spread of forestry machinery to the state and local governments, it is necessary to distribute timber production work centered on forest cooperatives or private timber producers to be carried out by wood producers, forest cooperatives and individuals.