Greenpeace is conducting an investigation on a log supplier from Cameroon, which, apparently, is illegally cutting wood from the African rainforests and exports it to China.The investigation – operating across three continents – is currently focused on Cameroonian timber trader Compagnie de Commerce et de Transport (CCT), according to Greenpeace.
The investigation also found similar concerns about European imports from the same trader leading to action last week by Dutch regulators.
The presence of wood from the same supplier (CCT) in China may open up the possibility of illegally cut wood re-entering the EU market once it has been processed, says Greenpeace. The timber comes from Cameroon’s rainforest and CCT is buying substantial amounts of logs from firms which Greenpeace investigators found to be involved in illegal logging.
Greenpeace has uncovered huge stockpiles of CCT wood in the Chinese port of Zhangjiagang – where no law prevents the import of illegally-felled wood. The organization also has photos that reveal many logs carrying the logos of companies and cutting titles of operators that Greenpeace field investigations have found to be engaged in illegal logging.
Since 2000 trade has shifted away from sensitive markets. Although last year Belgium and Italy alone appear to have imported more Cameroonian timber than China, the EU market’s significance as a destination for Cameroonian wood has decreased, while China’s significance has increased.
At the same time, a 2014 report of the Independent Auditor of the Cameroon forestry sector found that not a single logging title in Cameroon can currently be considered legal when the currently agreed – but as yet not established – legality criteria are applied.
Yet, the Cameroonian government has rejected the investigation’s claims as inaccurate and suggested that the timber suppliers providing logs to CCT are operating legally.
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