MPs call for law to ban illegal timber imports

Greenpeace blockades DEFRA in protest at illegal rainforest timber imports

Illegal timber 'a fact of life within the UK timber trade' says committee

MPs from across the political spectrum today called for urgent legislation banning imports of illegal timber into the UK. They say new laws are needed to protect the world's forests and warn that 'time is running out.'

The demand came in a report by the all party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which was evaluating progress on the issue since it completed an inquiry in 2002. The committee today stated that 'illegal timber is currently a fact of life within the UK timber trade.'

Greenpeace forests campaigner Pat Venditti said: "The MPs are absolutely right, without new laws to stop illegally logged timber flooding into the UK this country will continue to fuel the market in a trade that's catastrophic for the environment. The report sets down clear action the government must take in order to protect the worlds last forests. With green issues dominating party politics its now time to see how seriously Tony Blair takes this issue."

The Committee said it would like to see the current rules on timber procurement extended from central government to local authorities and other governmental bodies. The MPs also said there should be a requirement for government bodies to purchase only sustainable rather than just legal timber. Ministers should also continue to push for legislation in Europe, the report said.

For more contact the Greenpeace press office on 0207 865 8255