Japan should take control on the use of the legally proved wood, as advised by 18 international environmental protecting groups. The country’s government is also advised to secure the participation of corporations in the wood industry.
The international environmental groups submitted a note to the Prime Minister Abe in which they also said that the law to promote using legal wood may not be enough to stop dealing of illegally harvested wood. The law was promised at the recent G7 meeting.
The note requests that every company that imports wood from suppliers and has doubts of dealing of illegal harvested wood must be registered according to the new law. If there is a risk of dealing with the risk of illegal harvest, the wood importer must obtain reliable independent information to prove legality.
If registered member fails to respect the law, its registration must be canceled and the name must be disclosed publicly.
The note was submitted by the following 18 groups: Global Witness, Environmental Investigation Agency, Market for change, Center for International Environmental Law, National Wildlife Federation, Green Peace Japan, Green Peace International, Rainforest Action Network, Bruno Manser Funds, Japan Tropical Forest Action Network, Sarawak Campaign Committee, Global Environmental Forum, International Environment NGO, Friends of the Earth Japan, International NGO Human Rights Now, FERN, Sierra Club, Rainforest Foundation Norway and CPI.
