The Russian Head of the Federal Forestry Agency Valery Roschupkin, has ordered an immediate investigation into massive violations of forest law in the Russian republic of Karelia. This follows the release of a report by Greenpeace last year which highlighted wide-spread illegal logging in the province and showed how this timber is being imported into Finland to industry giants including UPM and Stora Enso, which is partly owned by the Finnish State.[1]
The Commission appointed to handle the investigation will be lead by the Deputy Head of Federal Forestry Agency, Mikhail Giryaev and is expected to conclude its work at the beginning of April. The Commission consists of officials from the police and customs amongst others.
Belinda Fletcher, Forest Campaigner, Greenpeace UK, said: "Illegal logging is having devastating eco nomic, environmental and social consequences. The Russian Government has finally committed to investigating the issue of illegal timber in Karelia and its transport into Finland. This shows that they have a case to answer on this issue."
Greenpeace is one of 180 NGOs and over 80 progressive businesses calling for effective EU-wide legislation to ban illegal timber and to ensure that all timber products on the market come from responsibly managed forests.[2] The EU Commission has just concluded a consultation process on the possibility for new legislation to tackle this issue.
Finland is EU's biggest importer of Russian wood. Finland exports 90 per cent of its pulp and paper production, mainly to Europe.
Notes to Editors:
[1] Partners in Crime: A Greenpeace Investigation into Finland's Illegal Timber Trade with Russia. Available online at http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/reports/finlands-illegal-timber-trade-with-russia.
[2],[3] Factsheets on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Industry and NGO statements can be downloaded from http://www.greenpeace.org/forests/finn-russia-industry and http://www.greenpeace.org/forests/finn-russia-ngo respectively.
For more information contact the Greenpeace Press office on
0207 865 8255.
The Commission appointed to handle the investigation will be lead by the Deputy Head of Federal Forestry Agency, Mikhail Giryaev and is expected to conclude its work at the beginning of April. The Commission consists of officials from the police and customs amongst others.
Belinda Fletcher, Forest Campaigner, Greenpeace UK, said: "Illegal logging is having devastating eco nomic, environmental and social consequences. The Russian Government has finally committed to investigating the issue of illegal timber in Karelia and its transport into Finland. This shows that they have a case to answer on this issue."
Greenpeace is one of 180 NGOs and over 80 progressive businesses calling for effective EU-wide legislation to ban illegal timber and to ensure that all timber products on the market come from responsibly managed forests.[2] The EU Commission has just concluded a consultation process on the possibility for new legislation to tackle this issue.
Finland is EU's biggest importer of Russian wood. Finland exports 90 per cent of its pulp and paper production, mainly to Europe.
Notes to Editors:
[1] Partners in Crime: A Greenpeace Investigation into Finland's Illegal Timber Trade with Russia. Available online at http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/reports/finlands-illegal-timber-trade-with-russia.
[2],[3] Factsheets on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Industry and NGO statements can be downloaded from http://www.greenpeace.org/forests/finn-russia-industry and http://www.greenpeace.org/forests/finn-russia-ngo respectively.
For more information contact the Greenpeace Press office on
0207 865 8255.
