Global Forest Industry Leaders Condemn Illegal Logging, Call for Increased Global Forest Certification

Vancouver, Canada, June 3, 2005

The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA), representing the forest industry in 43 countries across the globe today called for strong action against illegal logging and made the expansion of forest certification a global priority.   
 
The announcement comes as the first ever Global Forest and Paper Summit 2005, convened by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), draws to a close. The Summit was attended by over 700 delegates, including industry leaders, government representatives, civil society groups and other key industry stakeholders.
 
“We need to move even more quickly to stop illegal logging and expand certification,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC and Chairman of the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA). “Stronger, more coordinated action by industry, governments and civil society groups against illegal logging will yield real dividends from a social, economic and environmental sustainability perspective over the coming decade.”
 
Teresa Presas, President of the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) added, “Not only does illegal logging degrade the environment, for both developing and industrialized nations, it results in a loss of revenues impacting economic growth, and robs local communities, especially in developing nations, of essential funds for health- care, sanitation and education.”
 
In addition, industry leaders committed to a global expansion of third-party certification of sustainable forest management practices – where companies commit to externally developed standards and their performance is audited against these standards. Currently 90% of the world’s certified forests are in industrialized nations and their certification results from actions undertaken by the private sector.  
 
“When third-party audited forest certification becomes a global standard the results will be positive for the environment and will level the playing field for all,” continued Lazar.  
 
Industry leaders also called for governments, environmental groups and local communities to join it in spreading credible certification worldwide; and recognized the work of the World Wildlife Fund and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in promoting credible forest certification worldwide.

The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations’ (ICFPA) membership comprises the trade associations of 43 countries. Members represent industries accounting for more than 90 percent of the world’s paper and more than 50 percent of the world’s wood production.  The ICFPA is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to working with other stakeholders to ensure that environmental, social and economic benefits of our natural resources are available to current and future generations.
 
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is the only trade association in the world that makes third party sustainable forest management certification a pre-requisite of membership.
 
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For more information, contact:
 
Jeremy Dunn      
Curve Communications
604-684-3170
604-726-8350 (cell)
jeremy@curvecommunications.com

Laura Ballance  
Curve Communications       
604 684 3170  
604 771 5176 (cell)
laura@curvecommunications.com