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Dutch paper buyers appeal to the Finnish paper industry for moratorium on old-growth forests and forest sertification on FSC-basis |
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Apeldoorn,
Netherlands In the Netherlands, there is a growing concern regarding the exploitation of old growth forests in the world, for the production of paper, in particular in Scandinavia, but also in Canada and Russia. The Dutch organisation Milieudefensie (a sister-organisation to Friends of the Earth) and other environmental organisations are extremely worried about this issue, and they are mobilising public opinion. Dutch public opinion approves and is demanding action. Dutch publishers and printers are aware of their responsibility as users of paper. Therefore, they strongly oppose the use of old growth forests as a resource for the production of the paper used for their products. After hearing the environmental organisations as well as Finnish government authorities and Finnish suppliers, they wish to express their concern by means of the enclosed declaration. This declaration is sent to all organisations mentioned in the attached list. We sincerely hope this declaration will contribute towards the world-wide conservation of valuable natural environments. Wegener Arcade N.V. Ir L.J. de Graauw, Member of the Board |
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Dutch Declaration of concern regarding Old Growth Forests in Finland Preservation of the biodiversity of nature in Europe is a common cause. We, the undersigned, fully acknowledge the work done to preserve the biodiversity of nature in Finland to date: the new Finnish national forest legislation, the protection programmes and the updated forest management guidelines, are a significant step forward in order to safeguard the ecological values of the forest in Finland. We, the undersigned, acknowledge the role of environmental organisations in the process of the protection of biodiversity and we urge for a further co-operation between the forest industry, its customers and the environmental and consumer groups that are interested in and concerned about the forests. We, the undersigned, encourage continuous contacts and dialogues between the forest managers, the forest industry, the paper-buyers and the environmental organisations, in our common cause to protect and manage the forests in a responsible and sustainable way. We, the undersigned, would like the Finnish Government, the forest managers, the forest industry and the forest owners to continue their efforts in this field and to pay special attention to the following:
We, the undersigned, appeal to the Finnish paper industry to take full responsibility in preserving the endangered species and to refrain from logging the forest areas concerned, North and South, and to stop buying timber from these areas. A voluntary moratorium is to the opinion of the undersigned needed. During this moratorium all parties involved should discuss and address the issues thoroughly, finally resulting in a united vision and approach. We, the undersigned, apppeal to the Finnish forest industry to work on independent and international certification schemes for forest management. The currently globally applicable scheme of the Forest Stewardship Counsil should in our opinion be the basis for forest certification in Finland. September 29, 1997 Wegener Arcade BV / ir. L.J. de Graauw, Member of the Board of Directors Buermann-Ubbens Papier / Drs. E. de Voogd, managing director PCM Uitgevers NV / mr. C. Smaling, President Roto Smeets De Boer NV / drs. A.P. Lugt, Chairman of the Executive Board NV Holdingmaatschappij Dagblaad De Telegraaf / H. Schor, Managing Director VNU Dagbladengroep BV / ir. P. Wensveen, General Manager |