WWF - Forests For Life
November 29, 2000

Press Release

London, UK - WWF, the conservation organization, and BBC Worldwide today announced that BBC Wildlife Magazine will be the world's first consumer magazine to carry the FSC logo, which can be seen in their December issue. This logo assures the customer that the timber used to make the paper comes from a forest managed to the highest economic, environmental and social standards.

Nicholas Brett, Director of the BBC Worldwide publishing group responsible for BBC Wildlife, said: "This has been a cherished ambition of ours for more than five years. We are proud to be the first publisher in the world to have sought out FSC-certified paper for one of our titles and would urge our colleagues throughout the magazine industry to do the same. As more paper becomes available we intend to migrate all of our 37 BBC titles, including Radio Times, BBC Gardeners' World and Top of the Pops, on to FSC-certified stock."

Only the FSC logo, already to be seen on products such as garden furniture, wallpaper and DIY tools, can assure the consumer that the wood, or a clearly stated percentage of the paper pulp, comes from well managed forests.

"WWF welcomes this significant step forward by BBC Worldwide. This marks a new beginning for the publishing industry which now has the opportunity to contribute to responsible forestry by using FSC certified paper" stated Claude Martin, Director General of WWF International.

In order to help manufacturers and retailers who wished to source timber and paper responsibly, WWF established the Global Forest and Trade Network, a network of more than 600 companies and organisations worldwide. To date there are over 10,000 products carrying the FSC logo available on the market due to the growing number of certified forests and responsible companies around the world. BBC Worldwide was the first publisher to join WWF's 95+ Group, part of the Global Forest and Trade Network.

"This is a ground breaking achievement by the paper producers, forest owners and all those in the supply chain" stated Timothy Synnott, Executive Director of the Forest Stewardship Council based in Oaxaca, Mexico. "BBC Worldwide has set a real precedent, which we urge others in the industry to follow."

Environmentalists like David Attenborough have encouraged the FSC, WWF and BBC Worldwide in their determination. Sir David said: "I think it is excellent that BBC Worldwide has committed itself to using environmentally sound paper. The public wouldn't expect anything less."

For more information please contact:

WWF 95+ Group: Catherine Graham, WWF 95+ Group Coordinator Tel: + 44 (0) 1483 419295 or Gill Harrison, press officer, + 44 (0) 20 7921 5445

WWF's Forests for Life Campaign: Tori Lyall, Senior Communications Officer, tel: +44 (0) 1483 419 266, mobile: +44 (0) 7771 818 675/ Fax: +44 (0)1483 427 965 email: tlyall@wwfnet.org

BBC Worldwide: Mike Blakemore, Head of Press & PR Magazines Tel: +44 (0) 20 8433 2184/2208 email: mike.blakemore@bbc.co.uk

BBC Wildlife: Rosamund Kidman Cox, Editor Tel: +44 (0) 1179 738402

Forest Stewardship Council - UK working group: Anna Jenkins Tel: +44 (0) 1686 413916

Notes to the Editors:

1. BBC Wildlife Magazine is a monthly title devoted to the world's wildife and associated environmental and conservation issues; it is printed on totally chlorine free 70gsm Graphocote. At least 30% of the wood fibre in BBC Wildlife Magazine comes from well managed forests independently certified according to the rules of the FSC. It is produced in Sweden by SCA at their Ortviken mill. Subscription enquiries: +44 1795 414748, fax +44 1795 414555.

2. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the international organisation co-ordinating the independent certification of good forest management. Visit the FSC web site for more information: www.fscoax.org

3. The Global Forest and Trade Network has networks operating in North America, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, the Nordic Countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland), the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. At the current rate of growth there will be 800 to 1000 members by the end of the year 2000 with Japan and Hong Kong soon to join the Network. Visit www.panda.org/forests4life (certify forests section) for more information on the Global Forest and Trade Network (formerly called Buyers Groups). Error: Unable to read footer file.