The fate of many of the world's natural forests hinges on regulatory efforts in China that could stanch the flow of illegally logged wood within its borders, according to a report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
According to the EIA, a London-based NGO watchdog, China is "effectively standing on the sidelines" in the world's battle against illegal loggers as the country bears the title of the single-largest international consumer of illegal wood. Today China imports "wood stolen by organized criminal syndicates on a massive scale." To coincide with the report's release, EIA produced this film overview:
In the past 10 years, the U.S., European Union (EU) and, as of Nov. 19, Australia have taken legislative actions to block illegal wood from its markets, certain producer countries like Indonesia have improved forestry sector enforcement, and China has taken steps to safeguard its own domestic wood resources. But at the same time China has nurtured a domestic wood processing industry reliant on importing raw materials, about 10 percent of which EIA suspects came from illegal sources in 2011. China is now the world's largest importer, consumer and exporter of wood and wood products.
In its report, "Appetite For Destruction," EIA estimated that China's 2011 tab for illegally logged wood totaled $3.7 billion, or about 653.3 cubic feet of illegal wood products. A tax system favoring both imported raw wood and exported wood products has created long supply chains from South America, Africa and Asia into China. EIA reported that in 2001 China eliminated import tariffs on logs and sawn timber, and then in 2007 it introduced a 10 percent tax on wood exports but provided manufacturers a full rebate if their raw materials had been imported.
To fix the problem, EIA calls on China to institute a "clear prohibition of illegally logged timber," much like the U.S. has done with the Lacey Act. Also, China should establish a "coordinating body" of government officials to eradicate trade in illegal wood. Last, EIA recommends that the U.S. and EU ensure its monitoring of products from China is "robust." The full report can be read here:
