Say NO to bad wood

We've made it easy for you to write a detailed letter to the government, demanding they stick to their election promise on illegal timber imports.

The more personalised and unique your letter is, the greater its impact. So, we've given you a chance to customise your letter and include the things that really concern you.

Follow the steps below to construct your letter. We've made a start − the rest is yours.

Enter your personal details so we can address your letter. Also, add a subject line that mentions illegal timber imports.

What are your greatest concerns about the consequences of illegal logging? Choose your top two.

Select two additional solutions the government should develop.

First name

Last name

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Subject:

To :

Hon. Joe Ludwig
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Dear Minister,

I write to express my concern that the proposed laws to stop illegally logged timber coming into Australia are not strong enough to fix this urgent problem.

I support the Labor Government's 2007 and 2010 election promises to "ban the import of illegally logged timber". As the Minister responsible, I urge you to fulfil this important environmental commitment.

It is good that the Draft Bill includes a prohibition with a penalty of 5 years jail and that you have committed to including pulp and paper in the laws. But there are lots of things missing.

Other essential elements for effective legislation include:

1.	A prohibition that comes into effect immediately 
2.	A broad definition of illegal logging that will capture cases of corruption and bribery as well as help protect traditional owners who depend upon forests and are often the victims of illegal logging.
3.	A requirement for importers to disclose information about timber products they bring into Australia.

There is no reason why all these aspects cannot be part of the new laws. Without them, the Gillard Government will be breaking a key election promise - a promise that directly affects animals, forests and people in our region and around the world.

The Problems:

It goes without saying that illegal timber imports be banned. But, along with this, producer countries should practice ecologically sustainable and socially just forestry. Verification systems such as the FSC allow for this.
	
In addition to strong, new legislation, our Pacific and south-east Asian neighbours will need to stamp out illegal logging in their own countries. Strong legislation will encourage neighbouring governments to take action.
	
The only way I can rest assured that my new furniture didn't destroy someone else's home is by knowing that illegal timber imports have been banned.
	
Banning of illegal timber imports will also prevent cheap timber entering the Australian market and undercutting local Australian producers who are doing the right thing.

Propose Solutions:

It should go without saying that illegal timber imports be banned. But, along with this, producer countries should practice ecologically sustainable and socially just forestry. Verification systems such as the FSC allow for this and the government can do more to support them within the laws.
	
The government needs to back up strong laws with a proper enforcement system and not leave this responsibility to industry.
	
The government should be taking a leadership role in moving towards sustainable timber by adopting and implementing procurement policies that go beyond one requiring legal verification. Such procurement policies should be built on criteria that are consistent with and supportive of forest management and chain-of-custody certification and social justice.
	
The laws should include a provision allowing any interested party to take action against a breach under the Act so that any citizen can make a complaint and take action against traders who deal in illegal timber.

Australia imports illegal timber that is directly linked to biodiversity loss, human rights abuses and climate change. This is unacceptable. Please take the urgently needed action to stop it.

Kind regards,

No Greenpeace email updates thanks.

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