Illegal logging – Will our Government ever step up?

by Catherine Delahunty

Last week the Australian Labour Party launched a detailed commitment to banning the import and trade in illegally logged rainforest timber. Of course they have to get re-elected to make this law, but the work has been done and they are planning to join the global consensus to legislate and enforce penalties on traders who persist in this damaging and unjust trade.

Recently the European Union also announced a commitment to penalties as part of new rules against products of illegal tropical timber harvest in places like West Papua, Borneo, Malaysia and Africa. In the longer term they will be including paper products in this regime.

The United States of America can take credit for leading the charge through amendment to the Lacey Act, which was originally designed for the illegal trade in wildlife. The Lacey Act penalties which include hefty fines and possible jail terms is sending ripples around the world as cowboy traders and fake certifiers of rainforest products get the long deserved jitters.

So what is our Government doing? In answer to a written question on this issue the Minister of Forests explained he is supporting a voluntary code of practice and that an education campaign is underway. The education campaign may result in a few pamphlets on the retailers counters, but it won’t stop the trade in endangered timber species like kwila.

It is shameful that the Government will not act. They are leaving the door open as other countries bolt it shut. What’s more the forestry industry in Aotearoa/New Zealand, the indigenous citizens of the rainforests, the environmental groups fighting for biodiversity and the climate savvy scientists are speaking with one voice. We can stop this trade for every reason from ecological to economic. To love and protect the rainforests of this planet is to love and protect our future as a species. Come on, Minister Carter lets catch up with Australia!