The UK government's freshly watered down timber buying guidelines will give the green light to destroying old-growth Finnish forests, threatening to wipe out a number of internationally recognised rare and threatened species, according to Greenpeace.
A recent Greenpeace survey found hundreds of endangered fungi in areas of ancient forests in Finland that are earmarked for logging by Metsähallitus, the Finnish state-owned logging company. This logging is typical of the destruction taking place in Finland's ancient forests, a vast majority of which is certified as sustainable by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), a UK government approved scheme.
The threatened fungi are known as polypores, and most often appear on trees, rather than growing from the ground. An increasing number of fungi and other species, such as beetles, have become rare and extinct due to destructive logging practises in Finland. Ancient forests are the last remaining habitats for such threatened species.
The government has recently given approval to the controversial PEFC timber certification scheme, which endorses the Finnish Forest Certification Scheme. The scheme was lambasted by Greenpeace for certifying large scale unsustainable logging in ancient forest areas as well as the abuse of indigenous people's rights and the destruction of endangered species habitat.
In June, Metsähallitus terminated negotiations with the indigenous Sámi peoples, signalling a return to the logging of these ancient forests.
The indigenous Sámi reindeer herders do not accept logging of old-growth forests in areas that are crucial for their reindeer-herding livelihood. The Sámi Council and Sámi reindeer herders' organisations have denounced logging by Metsähallitus as threatening their livelihood, culture and human rights.
Nathan Argent, Greenpeace forests campaigner, said: "This clearly demonstrates that PEFC is failing to deliver on sustainable forest management and the government's decision to approve the scheme was premature."
"Both the public and private sector need to clearly specify Forest Stewardship Council timber on all contracts in order to guarantee that the timber they are using is from legal and sustainable sources."
Further information:
Contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255.
