International Wood International Wood 2006 | Page 49

What’s the best way to curb illegal logging?
While some might suggest a zero tolerance approach to illegal logging
through outright bans and boycotts on tropical timber, these mea-
sures could actually exacerbate the problem because this approach
removes any financial incentive to grow and sustainably manage the
forest, resulting only in destructive land-conversion. According to Dr.
Thomas Lovejoy, counselor for Biodiversity and Economic Affairs at
the Smithsonian Institution, “The key component in preserving and
maintaining the tropical forests is to ensure these resources maintain
their economic value.”
The United Nations Environment Program agrees, “An important
part of the strategy to conserve tropical forests is to increase the eco-
nomic benefit for forest nations and communities from using forests
rather than converting them to farmland. We therefore need a strong,
sustainable tropical timber industry.”
Progress being made
Through global collaboration between IWPA members, the U.S. gov-
ernment, and leaders from the countries of export, significant progress is
being made to eliminate any illegal wood reaching international trade.
Before highlighting the accomplishments, however, it is important to
understand legality and illegality when it comes to imported woods and
clarify many of the misconceptions that exist today.
What is illegal logging?
When many hear “illegal logging,” the image of rogue loggers with
chainsaws cashing in on robust trees from protected lands usually comes
to mind. In reality, most forest degradation happens in developing coun-
tries where poverty-stricken residents are trying simply to survive. The
need for food and shelter has led many to clear or burn forests to plant
crops, provide wood fuel, or build housing. The leading causes of de-
struction are subsistence farming and land conversion to permanent ag-
riculture.
The Economist recently noted, “Illegal logging is not the cause of all
deforestation. Some trees are cut down to make way for plantations or
ranching or to provide farmland or firewood for the poor.”
To further complicate the matter, legal requirements vary from
country to country. It is legal in the United States to harvest timber
without a forest management plan while in Brazil it is not.
Even prominent international environmental NGOs have an ongoing
challenge to precisely define illegal logging. Carroll Muffett of Defenders
of Wildlife acknowledges the complications, “It’s very difficult to define
what is illegal. No forest management? Exceeding quotas? Harvesting in
a restricted area? Violating the tax code?”
While illegal logging is a complex and multi-faceted problem, IWPA
stands committed in doing its part to curb it.
Despite the suggestion that some foreign governments are turning a
blind eye to the problem of illegal logging, progress in fact is being made
on many fronts. Consider some recent news from the ITTO Tropical
Timber Market Report:
• A Brazilian police task force recently arrested 28 people on suspicion
of being part of an illegal logging ring in the Amazon rainforest,
including agents from two different government agencies. Joint
operations and recent crackdowns have reduced deforestation by
31 percent in 2005 compared with previous years.
• China has recently imposed a ban on timber imports from
Myanmar to dramatically cut the flow of illegal timber. Over 200
Chinese workers have been arrested by Myanmar officials.
• In Malaysia, illegal logging is aggressively prosecuted as a criminal
offense, and seven illegal logging cases are currently in court.
• The Indonesian police force created a rapid response task force to
combat illegal logging. In 2005, Indonesian authorities arrested
1,673 people for forest crimes and confiscated 155,185 cubic meters
of timber.
• In Peru, over $6 million of timber in the market was not exported
for lack of proper documentation. This is a prime example of how
illegal wood does not enter international trade.
What is IWPA doing about illegal logging?
IWPA always has and always will condemn illegal logging. No successful
business can remain sustainable if it has to compete against illegal
activity.
IWPA members are taking extra steps to ensure that the sources for
their raw material are legal and sustainable. They commit to comply
with the applicable legal requirements under the national laws of
timber-producing countries in which members and suppliers are con-
ducting business.
In January, 2005, IWPA conducted an international conference –
Industry Contribution to Forest Governance – in Panama City, Panama,
to explore ways of implementing the President’s Initiative Against Illegal
Logging (PIAIL). Public-private partnership working groups were
formed to build capacities for sustainable forest management and to
combat illegal logging – a historic step in this effort.
IWPA al so knows that the wood business is a relationship business
and works strongly in fostering positive relationships with its supplying
members. IWPA members personally visit many of their overseas sup-
plier operations to ensure that these businesses are built upon sustain-
ability and legality.
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