The US spends $3.8 billion a year on imports of illegally logged timber, according to figures obtained by the Environmental Investigation Agency. This makes it the world鈥檚 biggest consumer of plundered wood.
The latest revelation is likely to pile pressure on the US to alter its stance. Last week leaked documents revealed the State Department is trying to foil a G8 initiative to curb the illegal logging.
The proposal suggested by Hilary Benn, the UK鈥檚 International Development Secretary, on behalf of the Indonesian government, calls for internationally recognised schemes to license and certify timber. But two days before G8 environment ministers met in Derby, UK, to consider the initiative, State Department plans to lobby other members to reject it were leaked to the BBC. The proposal eventually passed.
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Efforts by countries such as Indonesia to curb illegal logging have so far been scuppered by corruption and organised crime. Despite imposing a ban on timber exports, 79 per cent of Indonesia鈥檚 logs still go abroad.
According to the World Bank global trade in illegal timber is worth $15 billion a year, making the US the largest consumer. 鈥淭hey are driving the demand for this,鈥� says Faith Doherty of the EIA, which obtained its figure from Global Timber, an independent consultant on the timber trade. 鈥淔rom the very beginning they have been very reluctant to take responsibility for their consumption.鈥�
