Copy That: Xerox gets the message

The indigenous Sámi peoples still practice traditional reindeer herding in Arctic Lapland, relying on remaining old-growth forests to provide vital food for their reindeer during the cold winter months. But their forest is being industrially logged for the production of pulp and paper - ending up as magazine and copy paper throughout Europe.

This is why Xerox's announcement is good news for Finland's ancient forests. In fact it should be good news for many forests if Xerox keeps its word. As part of our ongoing correspondence, Xerox has informed us of the adoption of a new procurement policy, ensuring that suppliers do not source timber from 'old-growth forests, conservation areas or other areas designated for protection'.

Under siege

However the Finnish reindeer forest is still under siege as many other companies are profiting from the destruction. The Finnish state logging company logs supposedly protected areas. Most of these logs go to Finland's largest paper company StoraEnso to be turned into paper and sold as magazines and copy paper.


Up in the frozen north, we have our Forest Rescue Station to help defend the rights of the Sámi peoples against industrial logging. We have been helping mark their lands as protected for reindeer herding. We are pressuring the Finnish government to stop logging in protected areas. We are asking StoraEnso to stop profiting from the destruction and writing to ask StoraEnso customers to pressure the company. Xerox has been one of the first to respond.

Help save the Reindeer forests!

We can't do this alone - we need your help. We are still here in Arctic Lapland working with the Sámi reindeer herders to ensure that the Finnish paper industry doesn't sell out these forests to make cheap magazine and copy paper products. Help us defend these forests from being logged by the Finnish government's own logging company, Metsähallitus and sold for pulp and paper production.

Write to StoraEnso and the Ministry of Finance, who are the largest single shareholder in the company. We already know they are feeling the international pressure and ministers are complaining about getting 1000's of messages - so keep up the pressure!

More information

Read the report "Lapland: State of Conflict - How the Finnish government is abusing the forest rights of Sámi reindeer herders

Check out the Forest Rescue Station weblog to keep in touch with, and show your support for, our icy activists!

You can also read more about the Forest Rescue Station or check out the FAQ.

Read the full letter from Xerox.

Play Eco Quest 3 - The Reindeer Herders