Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 5 • Number 12 • 24th June 2005
Leaked G8 Draft on Illegal Logging ‘Weak’
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G8 leaders at their upcoming meeting will only agree to voluntary measures “with each country acting where it can contribute most effectively” to end illegal logging, according to a draft leaked on 16 June. The draft communique for the 6-8 July summit stresses that logging countries have to bear their own share of responsibility for ending the illegal logging trade. It also contains a three-paragraph statement endorsing the findings of a March meeting of G8 environment and development ministers that agreed to non-binding measures to halt the illegal timber trade and encourage sustainable public procurement rules (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 5 April 2005). The UK, which holds the G8 presidency, has with the support of Japan urged the G8 to take binding, concerted and obligatory action, including new international laws, to end the US$15 billion illegal business. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is reportedly planning to present a set of proposals, including requiring G-8 member governments to buy only legally logged trees and establishing an international system for tracing illegal loggers, at the July meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland.
“Draft G8 Communique Takes Only Mild Stance on Illegal Logging,” REUTERS, 16 June 2005; “PM to bring up illegal logging at G-8 summit,” Yomiuri Shimbun, 15 June 2005.
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