The following statement
is in response to an article published in
the Wall Street Journal on 30 October 2007.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is
the premier international forest certication
organization ensuring that forestry practices
are environmentally, socially and economically
responsible. Its decision to rescind the
rights of Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) to use
the FSC logo shows that it is a robust and
credible system that is committed to the
responsible management of the world’s forests.
APP is one of the largest contributors
to the clearing of natural forests on the
Indonesia island of Sumatra, threatening
habitat for endangered elephants, tigers,
rhinos and orangutans. The company’s operations
are one of the reasons Indonesia suffers
the highest rate of deforestation in the
world. APP is currently the subject of a
police investigation for alleged involvement
in illegal logging in Sumatra.
"FSC’s willingness to recognize, and
fix, abuses of its system means that companies
and consumers buying FSC products can rest
easy knowing that they are helping to conserve
the world’s forests and wildlife,"
said Rod Taylor, Director of WWF's Global
Forest Programme.
WWF calls on all retailers buying APP products
to take note of FSC's decision and to follow
its lead.
WWF was a founder and remains a supporter
of FSC, which it believes is the most credible
forest certification scheme available currently.
WWF continues to work with FSC to improve
it.
Note to editors
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is
an independent, non-profit organization
that provides standard setting, trademark
assurance and accreditation services to
companies and organizations interested in
responsible forestry. Founded in 1993 by
a diverse group of stakeholders, including
WWF, FSC’s mission is to promote environmentally
appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically
viable management of the world’s forests.
For more, see www.fsc.org.
