Greenpeace statement on Indonesia-EU timber agreement

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30 September 2013

Land Clearing in Kalimantan © Ulet Ifansasti / Greenpeace

The head of the Indonesia Forest Campaign at Greenpeace International, Bustar Maitar, responded: “Today's signature of the FLEGT agreement is an important step to improve forest governance and law enforcement in Indonesia. It shows Indonesia's willingness to expel corruption and illegal practices from its forestry sector, and the EU's engagement to continue to support Indonesia, especially for the independent CSO forest monitor (JPIK),” said Bustar.

The signature of the agreement should not be seen as an end point, but rather as a stepping-stone. There is still much work to be done if Indonesia's timber legality standard (SVLK) and system are to be credible.

“Indonesia must take steps to improve enforcement such as prohibiting forest conversion for industrial timber plantations and ensuring transparency and access to relevant data and maps.

“As long as companies such as APRIL (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings) are allowed to destroy biodiversity rich forests and turn peatlands into pulpwood plantations, the green credentials of the Indonesian legality standard will be seriously flawed,” said Bustar.

Media contacts:

Tristan Tremschnig, Communications Coordinator Indonesia Forests, Greenpeace International, +62 812 953 893 69 (mobile),

Yuyun Indradi, Greenpeace South East Asia, Forests Political Campaigner, +62 812 2616 1759 (mobile),

Ed Davitt - Greenpeace EU media officer: +32 (0)476 988 584,

For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.