Australia must ban imports of illegal timber

Australia must ban imports of illegal timber

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum supports the recent call by the Indonesian Government for Australia to ban the import of illegally logged timber.

In supporting the call, the Forum says, while Australia is a sovereign country with its own laws governing its affairs, it must not give a blind-eye on the serious issue of illegal logging.

The illegal and unsustainable harvesting of timber some of which is exported to Australia is a major problem in PNG.

The Forum has been at the forefront in raising issues concerning forest law enforcement and governance in PNG. It says that it is about time Australian Government reconsiders its position on importation of illegal timber from the Asia Pacific region. “For the Australian Government not to support banning importation of illegally logged timber products is irresponsible and only legitimizes irregular practices that are associated with the lucrative logging industry, says the Forum.

The logging industry in PNG continues to flourish despite unsustainable environment exploitation, gross human rights abuse, and non-adherence to locally acceptable rules and principles. “It is therefore only appropriate that the Australian government put in place a ban and takes the necessary steps towards adequately addressing the issue of illegal logging,” says the Forum.

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum is a focal point for all those that support integrated community development through a sustainably viable eco-forestry Industry in PNG.

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