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Australia urged to follow EU lead on illegal timber (abc.net.au) |
 Julia Gillard
The Federal Government is under pressure to deliver on its election
promise to ban the importation of illegal timber.
The European Parliament has now agreed to stop the trade of illegal timber.
It voted overwhelming in favour of a ban and made it a requirement for companies to verify wood products thought to be illegal.
The United States introduced legislation two years ago to stop the practice.
Reece Turner from Greenpeace says Australia must do the same.
"That was a key election promise from the Federal Government so now is the time for Julia Gillard to step up to the plate and deliver on this election promise to end the import of illegal timber," he said.
Forestry Minister Tony Bourke has indicated the government intends to keep its promise.
Almost $1 billion worth of illegal timber is imported into Australia every year.
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