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WWF push FSC further into PNG
A new WWF program is seeking to expand Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in the Trans-Fly and Kikori River Basin regions of PNG. The program is an extension of the work WWF has been doing in the country for some years now – mostly aimed at restricting PNG’s commercial forestry industry. WWF has operated in the Trans-fly region of PNG since 2003. Through its ‘Biodiversity Vision for the Transfly’ strategy it has worked to encourage local government authorities to alter land-use plans and use WWF’s High Conservation Value system in spatial planning, which severely curtails available land for forestry and agricultural use.
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Forestry & Corruption in PNG
Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has publicly attacked Papua New Guinea’s forest industry and officials. Capitalising on publicity generated by the launch of its Corruption Perception Index for 2010, TIPNG has directly attacked the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) as well as its auditing body, claiming that 90 per cent of timber exports are shipped without proper checking. PNGFA Managing Director, Kanawi Pouru, reiterated that all logs exported from PNG were independently checked and monitored by Swiss inspection company, SGS – one of the global leaders in inspection, testing and certification services. He advised that the process was completely transparent and any questions would be welcomed by the auditor. TIPNG’s…
