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Why we do it/The need

Forests Monitor believes that there should be regulatory frameworks within which transnational corporations operate, both in the countries of operation and in the countries where they are headquartered, that foster accountability and that put the needs and rights of forest-dependent peoples at the heart of their actions.

Loss of Local People's Rights

As a result of the industrial exploitation of timber, local people in these countries who depend on forests see their rights eroded and needs ignored at local, national and international levels. Legal local rights to forests are usually non-existent, a lack of which is exacerbated by the allocation of large areas of forest as timber concessions. The right of local people to be involved in decision-making on the type of development opportunities most suitable to them is not recognised.

Local people see their rights to their land as exploited. Companies often make promises to provide local healthcare, schooling, etc, but in reality these promises are often not fulfilled. It is argued that logging provides employment, but it actually employs more outsiders than locals.

Local people lose their cultural identity. Traditional ways of life and communities are threatened. Non-timber forest products (NFTPs) and subsistence agriculture have traditionally formed the basis of local livelihoods and exchange networks between different groups of people living in these forest areas. With the loss of their rights to their traditional lands in forests, these livelihoods struggle. With forestry operations being introduced into the area, thousands of newcomers are attracted into the rainforest. Once timber extraction finishes, these new towns collapse. Because these communities are not sustainable, they cause social tensions between newcomers and existing communities and increase pressure on natural resources.

A high proportion of logging operations are illegal, and so difficult to monitor. Forestry and environment laws, which provide a minimum operating standard, are often unclear and are rarely enforced.

Illegal logging makes it impossible for governments to collect all taxes owing from the industry. Corruption in governments and companies also makes it difficult to trace where any taxes paid go, and therefore do not benefit the local people.

Unsustainable

The logging industry is unsustainable, most operations have mined the forest for valuable species before moving on to new forest areas, rather than managing the forest so as to obtain subsequent harvests. By felling the largest trees, the forestry industry removes those trees that produce the best seeds. These tree species suffer from a lowering of their genetic base and this affects their regeneration. Logging destroys certain trees that provide important food sources for local people, for example the Sapelli tree where kinin caterpillars live, a staple food of many indigenous people. It has been estimated that logging at the current rate means that the forests in Cameroon will run out of commercial timber within 15 years.

Our Responsibility

The EU continues to play an important role politically and economically in Central Africa, directly and indirectly shaping forest development and conservation policies. EU-based logging companies continue to be significant players in the forestry sector, controlling many logging concessions and processing plants and playing an active role in forestry management in the region. The EU is a primary destination for exports of timber products. Because of this, we can, as part of the EU, have an influence.

Buyers of timber produced under these circumstances may actually be instigating poverty by removing the resources upon which people depend for their livelihoods. As consumers we have a responsibility to see that logging is carried out responsibly and fairly.

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