AMERICAN FOREST & PAPER ASSOCIATION
GROWING WITH AMERICA SINCE 1861
Position Statement on Illegal Logging
The American Forest & Paper Association(AF&PA) represents
the majority of wood and paper product producers in the United
States. The U.S. forest products industry promotes sustainable
forest management and sustainably produced forest products to
meet society’s needs. The U.S. forest products industry strongly
supports high forest management standards around the world and
is committed to using forest management and manufacturing practices
that meet environmental, social, and economic objectives.
ILLEGAL LOGGING
A basic tenant of any responsible producer should be clear opposition
to illegal logging not only contributes to deforestation but also
undermines the viability of legally harvested and traded forest
products and is a serious detriment to forest sustainability.
The environmental destruction caused by illegal logging creates
negative perceptions of the forest products industry in general.
AF&PA is committed to address this problem to the best of
its ability.
AF&PA defines illegal logging as theft of timber or logs,
cutting in parks, reserves or similar areas, and cutting where
government approvals are obtained by corrupt parties.
AF&PA POSITION STATEMENT
・ AF&PA strongly supports the conservation of forest areas
which have been designated for protection by low. AF&PA encourages
government and private sector to work together to end all illegal
logging from areas where timber harvesting is expressly prohibited.
・ AF&PA members commit to abide by domestic and sovereign
laws pertaining to logging and harvesting in any country where
logging and tree removals take place.
・ In countries where such laws are not in place, we support the
establishment of laws and regulations that promote and advance
sustainable forest management and their subsequent enforcement.
・ AE&PA supports government monitoring and assessment of
forests as essential to devising appropriate and effective measures
to counteract illegal logging and associated illegal trade. Accurate
and reliable information will greatly improve the ability of government
and private landowners to curtail illegal activity.
・ Elements of certification processes can partially address the
problems associated with illegal logging, but certification in
and of itself will not prevent it. Private sector must be vigilant
in situations where illegal logging is suspected and all levels
government must work to enforce laws established to prevent it.