Australian businesses join AFTN
17 Oct 2006
Six Australian companies today joined WWF in an effort to improve the management of the world's forests and end Australia's $400 million illegal timber trade.
The WWF-convened Australia Forest and Trade Network (AFTN) welcomed its first six signatories, who have committed to eliminating from their supply chain timber products from unknown and potentially illegal sources, and increasing the amount of timber products sourced from well-managed forests.
The signatories represent various stages along the forest products supply chain from forest managers to paper, printing and design companies.
They are plantation managers ITC Limited and Timbercorp, timber importers and wholesalers Simmonds Lumber, print management business Complete Print Solutions, commercial printer Complete Colour Printing, and integrated communications consultancy UP&UP Creative.
"There is a growing international demand for certified forest products, and Australian forest and plantation managers, as well as paper and printing companies, are responding to this market signal," said Jana Blair, WWF's Forest and Trade Network Coordinator.
"By participating in the AFTN, businesses can demonstrate to shareholders, employees and customers their active contribution towards reducing their forest footprint."
According to a Federal Government report last year, around $400 million worth of illegally harvested timber is imported into Australia annually - which represents around nine per cent of our total timber imports.
Illegal logging contributes to major environmental and social problems, including the habitat destruction of such species as Sumatran tigers, orangutans, rhinos and elephants.
Asia Pacific countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma and Papua New Guinea are believed to be some of the sources of illegally harvested timber entering Australia. Worldwide, illegal logging is destroying forests, and in some African countries it is estimated that up to 80 per cent of all harvested trees are taken illegally.
Ms Blair said the AFTN also recognises the role that productive forests play in maintaining global biodiversity.
"As well as meeting human needs, working forests need to be managed to ensure they still provide shelter, food and other support to the world's animal and plant species."
Charlie Stevens, Press Officer, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1274
Mobile: 0424 649 689
Email: cstevens@wwf.org.au
Jana Blair, AFTN Coordinator, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 6257 4010
Mobile: 0409 802 182
