Finland forest crime file

Finnish paper trade threatens forests survival

Publication date: May 2003

Summary

In the wealthy, forest-rich nation of Finland industrial logging is jeopardising the surival of the country's last ancient or old-growth forests. These forests are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and the traditional livelihoods of the indigenous Sami people and other traditional communities. Yet, despite calls from scientists and conservationists for increased levels of protection for these old-growth forests, the Finish government continues to log these rare and vulnerable habitats, driven by demand from the country's massive international paper industry. The key companies involved in this, who are buying old growth forest for paper, are the three Finnish export giants, Stora Enso, UPM-Kymmene and M-Real.