THE Solomon Islands Sawn Timber Industry’s recent consultation with New Zealand Timber Industry has come under question from former Greenpeace forest campaigner Lawrence Makili.
Mr Makili queried the process to establish a third party for certification of sawn timbers by farmers to overseas buyers, this must be done transparently.
“The way I see it, the non-inclusion of local environmental organisations on the ground in the consultations is just not right,” Mr Makili, who is currently the Pacific Islands regional director of US-based Earth Island Institute, said.
“I understand all parties involved including the New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber (NZ ITTG) are concern about sustainable and better management of timber harvesting.
“Those of us working for environmental organisations on the ground are also equally concerned,” he said.
He added that Malcolm Scott of ITTG and Grant Rosoman of Green Peace knew this very well but they have failed to call for the involvement of environmental organisations on the ground.
“Their negligence, together with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) program, is a cover-up.
“I can only see clearly now that sawn timber consumers in New Zealand are going to be fooled.”
Mr Makili urged responsible authorities to include local environment organisations in future consultations.
“On this matter we will be grateful if the third party establishment be open and transparent.”
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
