NGO statement of opposition to the proposed liberalization of the forest products sector
May 1999

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations representing citizens concerned about environment and development, oppose the proposal by the US and other members of APEC to create a 'free trade agreement' for forest products.

We condemn the proposal because, if implemented, we fear it will lead to increased logging and consumption of ecologically and socially valuable forests around the globe. We also condemn the proposal because of the undemocratic and ecologically irresponsible manner in which it is being developed.

We are deeply worried about the proposal's content: the intention is to eliminate tariffs on wood products. This could stimulate increased production and consumption. Another potential agenda item could be the elimination of non-tariff measures (NTMs) which may make it impossible to maintain environmental safeguards such as third-party certification and eco-labelling, strong phytosanitary controls on imports of wood products that carry exotic pests and pathogens, and regulations to promote local industries.

We call on the members of the WTO to refrain from negotiating a forest products agreement until an independent assessment has been made of the social and environment impacts of trade liberalization on forests and forest people, and effective steps have been taken to mitigate those impacts on, and avoid future harm to, forest ecosystems and peoples.

We call on the CSD to fulfil its commitment of developing a framework for assessing environmental and social impacts of trade policies and agreements by its next meeting in April 2000.

We also condemn the forest products agreement for the economic paradigm that it perpetuates: the WTO and its members have ignored the potential adverse effects of trade liberalization on forest ecosystems and forest communities by failing to assess the environmental and social impacts of timber trade liberalization and on liberalization in other sectors that affect forests and forest peoples. The WTO and its members have also failed to adequately involve civil society in timber trade and other liberalization discussions.

The proposal for a forest products agreement reflects an economic agenda which prioritises trade liberalization as an end in itself rather than as a means which, in some circumstances, may be useful for improving environmental protection and quality of life. This agenda does not take into consideration the concerns of the people and communities who are ultimately affected.

We the undersigned look forward to responses from our governments, the CSD and the WTO regarding our concerns over the proposed forest sector liberalization.

International Organisations

WWF International
Charlie Arden Clarke, Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud

World Rainforest Movement
Ricardo Carrere

Greenpeace International
Patrick Anderson

European Organisations

Fern UK/Brussels
Saskia Ozinga

Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Sarah Tyack

Friends of the Earth France/Amis de la Terre
Helene Ballande

Friends of the Earth, Finland
Otto Miettinen

Friends of the Earth, Netherlands
Gemma Boetekees

Towards a Different Europe, Netherlands
Olivier Hoedeman

Just Forests, Ireland
Tom Roche

Both Ends, Netherlands
Paul Wolvekamp

Earthlink, Germany
Bernard Henselmann

Quantum Conservation, Germany
Richard Perron

Zoological Society for Conservation of Species and Populations, Germany
Roland Wirth

ASEED Europe
Karen

Friends of the Earth Estonia
Taime Puura

Down to Earth, campaign for ecological justice in Indonesia, UK
Frances Carr

NCIV (Dutch Centre for Indigenous Peoples)
Leo van der Vlist

Forest Monitor
Stuart Wilson

Netherlands Committee for IUCN
Willem Ferwerda

Forest Peoples Program, UK
Marcus Colchester

Global Witness, UK
Simon Taylor

African Organisations

Friends of the Earth, Congo Democratic Republic/CADIC
Swedi Elongo

ERA, Cameroon
Emile Tanawa

Institute for Cultural Affairs, Ghana
Lambert Okra

CED (Centre pour l'environnement et developpement), Cameroon
Samuel Nguiffo

Jane Goodall Institute, Uganda
Linda G. Rothen

Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust
Wilhelm Moeller

Australia

Friends of the Earth, Australia
Leonie van der Maesen

Centre for International Studies Australia
Aaron Schneider

Rainforest Information Centre Australia
Bill Peisly

North America

Fallsbrook Centre, Canada
Patrick Mallet

South America

Centro de Ecologica y Desarollo, Mexico
Prof David Barkin

Fundacion Ecotropico, Colombia
Rosario Ortiz

IBASE Brazil
Rosa Roldan

Centro de Calidad Ambiental Guadalupe, Mexico
Elke Wisseborn

Asia

Societe of Saint Columban, Japan
Paul McCartin

Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa University Japan
Prof Un'no Yahiro

Yggdrasil Institute
Mary Byrd Davis

Phlippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation
Gerry Ledesma

CODEFF- Friends of the Earth Chile
Hernan Verscheure

IEDS-FoE-Bangladesh
Chowdhury M.F.