Foreword
Those of us who make or buy wood or wood-based products need to take responsibility for our own actions that might contribute to the illegal logging of the world�s forests. This means ensuring that the wood used to make those products has been legally harvested and produced. At the same time New Zealand can work with other countries to help combat illegal logging and associated trade at bilateral, regional and international levels. We note the efforts of other countries to combat illegal logging through various approaches and look to learn from and share experiences with these countries.
As a country that has forest management practices guided by sound environmental policies and legislation, we have much to offer others in the fight to address illegal logging. Steps taken by our forest industry also demonstrate that we take notice of the problem and are looking for innovative ways to help combat illegal logging. The New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group, comprising timber importers, marketers, retailers and environmental non-governmental organisations, for example, has been instrumental in promoting the import of sustainably managed timber.
We have also introduced a New Zealand Government Timber Procurement Policy which aims to encourage government use of sustainably produced and, where available, certified timber.
But we can do more. This discussion paper marks the first step in developing a more comprehensive approach to combating illegal logging. We need your help in making it a policy that can deliver practical and realistic options in solving this global problem.
I urge you to participate in this consultation process so that we can work together towards gaining a meaningful and useful New Zealand approach to help address illegal logging and associated trade.
Jim Anderton
MP
Minister of Forestry
Contact for Enquiries
Senior Policy Analyst
International Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0650
Fax: +64 4 894 0742
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