Title: ECO-FORESTRY NGO's WELCOME REFORM IN THE FOREST INDUSTRY
Source: PNG Eco-Forestry Forum, Press Release
Status: Copyright 2000, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: July 12, 2000 

PRESS RELEASE

The Papua New Guinea Eco-Forestry Forum has congratulated the Government for its bold moves towards reforming the forest industry.

The Forum consists of a coalition of Non Government Organisations supporting the development of the small to medium scale sawmilling industry in PNG. The Forum has reaffirmed its support and acknowledged the Government's positive moves, describing them as ones that will prove that the government is able to deliver on their promises and introduce reform in the forestry sector.

"For many years foreign owned companies have been destroying the forests and exporting PNG's wealth for their own gain with little regard for the law, landowners wishes or the environment and with very little financial return to the local people. Now at last we seem to have a Government who is able to stand up to weed out corruption and do what is right for the people of PNG", the Forum reiterated. 

The government has recently announced a package of measures to address issues of corruption, poor supervision and bad practice in the management of forest resources. Key decisions made include:

* The formation of a committee to review all currently proposed forestry projects to ensure that they comply with the law and landowners wishes
* New legislation to prevent misuse and corruption in projects where forest areas are converted for other land uses or geographical extensions made to existing timber permits
* Legislation to guarantee full public disclosure of forestry plans and National Forest Board decisions
* Changes to the membership of the National Forestry Board to try and ensure better decision-making and good governance.

These Government decisions come as part of the implementation of promises made in last years Budget and the strengthening of the previously announced Forestry Moratorium.

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum on behalf of its members has welcomed the Government's moves as further evidence of their commitment to clean up the forest industry and root out bad practices.

The Eco-Forestry Forum includes national and international environment conservation and community development NGOs and representatives of industry, education and science whose primary aim is to promote and support the development of a viable and sustainable eco-forestry industry in PNG.