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 :

Cc :

Tony Burke
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Center for International Economics

Dear Minister,

I write to express my concerns about illegally logged timber being imported into Australia and to urge the Government to act.

I support the Rudd Government's election promise to "ban the import of illegally logged timber". I further support the Governments ultimate policy objective to ensure only sustainably harvested timber is used in Australia. As the Minister responsible, I urge you to fulfil this important environmental promise.

I am concerned that your commitment to this election promise has been lost among complaints that it is too difficult and excuses that Australia alone cannot solve illegal logging.

The Government should take this opportunity to introduce substantial reforms that will see an end to illegal timber being imported into Australia. It should also develop a clear timetable to ensure timber imports come from sustainable origins.

Any reform package the Government delivers must include two key elements:

1.	Legislation allowing only forest products that have been independently certified and verified as being legally logged to be imported.
2.	Legislation making it an offence to trade in illegally sourced timber products.

The reforms should cover all forestry products, including pulp and paper.

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.

The Problems:

What particularly concerns me is the impact of illegal logging on climate change given global deforestation is responsible for approximately 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions.	
	
The Asia-Pacific region is said to have the highest annual deforestation rate in the world, with two of our closest neighbours, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, suffering rampant and illegal logging.
	
I am also very concerned for indigenous forest communities who are suffering loss of livelihood, as well as increased poverty and disease, at the hands of illegal logging companies.
	
Worryingly, there are also documented cases of human rights abuses against the landowners, poor working conditions and no benefits returning to the local communities.
	
As you know, illegal logging also threatens many species of plants and animals, and is a major cause of biodiversity loss.
	
I am frustrated that I cannot buy imported furniture and be confident that it is made of 'Good Wood'. Since the Government has imposed no restrictions on importation of these sorts of products and nearly a quarter of all imported timber furniture is made from illegally logged forests, this means I have a one in four chance of supporting illegal logging.
	
As you are no doubt aware, about $400 million worth of illegal timber imports are sold in Australia every year. This means that I would have a one in ten chance of inadvertently supporting illegal logging by buying timber products.

Propose Solutions:

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.

Kind regards,

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