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WORLDWIDE FOREST/BIODIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS

A Fifth of Russian Logging Illegal

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07/01/00

OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY

Logging which is illegal in one aspect or another threatens the

existence of the World's remaining ancient forests. Greenpeace

reports that Russia's massive forests, the largest on the Planet, are

plagued by illegal logging of timber. They estimate 20% of timber

logged in Russia is done illegally. This problem is compounded by

poor performance by "legal" industrial loggers. Survival of large

intact forest areas depends upon swift action by the World's

governments to end illegal and poor logging practices through strict

enforcement measures.

g.b.

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Title: Greenpeace says a fifth of Russian logging illegal

Source: Copyright 2000, Reuters

Date: June 30, 2000

MOSCOW, June 30 (Reuters) - The environmental campaigning group

Greenpeace said on Friday it estimated that around 20 percent of

timber logged in Russia was illegal.

Timber is one of Russia's top five exports, in a bracket of natural

resources including oil, gas, minerals and metals which account for

three-quarters of all its foreign earnings.

Greenpeace Russia said in a report that forestry legislation was on

paper very sophisticated, but the country lacked inspectors who could

travel to far-flung corners to check up on logging companies.

``According to Greenpeace's report... at least 20 percent of timber

logged in our country is done so either illegally or in a manner that

seriously violates (some) legislation,'' Greenpeace said in a

statement.

It said its estimates were based on numerous trips to timber-producing

areas and on interviews with officials.

``In most cases the agencies entitled to supervise different aspects

of forestry, work separately from one another.

``Their activities and conclusions often contradict one another...

(which is) further incentive to forest crimes and illegal felling,''

the group said.

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