European Timber Sector Not Ready for Recovery - U.N
From Reuters: The European forestry sector, hit hard by the U.S.-led housing crash, could benefit from more exposure to China which will be a leading importer in the years ahead, a United Nations panel said on Tuesday.
Malaysia: Ban on Logging Necessary as Only 30% of Forest Left in Selangor
From thestar.com: THE move for a temporary ban on logging in Selangor was made to safeguard the remaining green lung in Selangor, state Agriculture, Natural Resources and Entrepreneurial Development committee chairman Yaakob Sapari said.
Illegal Logging Drives Rare Pine to Edge of Extinction
From Saigon GPDaily: Nearly 20 rare red pine trees (Pinus dalatensis) have been illegally logged since 2008, said forest rangers in the Highlands province of Lam Dong. This is especially bad news, as the tree is on the edge of extinction.
Leaders From Indonesia, Brazil Join 3 U.S. States in Deforestation Accord
From New York Times: Los Angeles - Three U.S. governors and eight regional leaders from Brazil and Indonesia have drafted a memorandum they intend to make official today that calls on the presidents of their nations to write generous forestry provisions into an international climate change pact in Copenhagen in December.
Indonesia, China to Cooperate in Wood Certification
From Xinhua News Agency: Jakarta - Indonesia and China will cooperate in management and certification of forest products to ensure legal wood trading between them to meet with rules on certification of origin under the U.S. Lacey Act, a media reported here Friday.
Russia: Duma Approves Bill Aimed at Preventing Illegal Timber Exports
From ITAR-TASS: Moscow - The State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament on Friday approved a bill which enables the government to cut the number of crossing points for timber exports. Lawmakers said it would help the country cut the flow of illegal timber abroad.
DNA Technology Could Help Save Endangered Forest
From the Jakarta Post: New technology is providing some hope to those battling to stop Indonesia's massively devastating and hugely costly illegal logging activity. In recent years, unlawful forest destruction has resulted in undermining the rule of law and deprived the state of substantial revenues. The World Bank estimates the illicit practice costs more than a staggering Rp 100 trillion each year.
Social Causes of Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest
From Mongabay.com: Understanding the web of social groups involved in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is key to containing forest loss, argues a leading Amazon researcher writing in the journal Ecology and Society. Philip Fearnside of the National Institute for Research in the Amazon (INPA) reviews nine actors that have had significant roles in deforestation and reports differences in why they deforest, where they are active, and how they interact with each other.
Imports of Logs, Lumber and Pulp to China Increased Substantially in the 2Q/09 as the Country’s Economy Grow by Almost 8%, Reports the Wood Resources Quarterly
From Wood Resources International: Seattle, WA - The Chinese economy continues to positively surprise, with the GDP growing by 7.9% in the 2Q. Domestic consumption of forest products has increased, with new construction and remodeling being the major drivers for higher consumption of wood products.
Ghana: Forestry Commission Gets New Board
From Ghana News Agency: Accra - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, on Wednesday inaugurated an 11-member Board of the Forestry Commission and tasked it to preserve the nation's natural resources by dealing urgently with the activities of illegal timber operators.