In a letter to Greenpeace Canada and Auriga Nusantara, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has rejected a complaint submitted by both organizations but initiated a “corporate group review” of Paper Excellence’s connections to Asia Pulp & Paper (APP). 

Shane Moffatt, Head of Nature and Food with Greenpeace Canada, said:

“While we are disappointed that the FSC has rejected our complaint, we are encouraged that it has at least initiated a corporate group review of Paper Excellence’s connections to Asia Pulp & Paper.  However, this review needs to be conducted in a much more transparent manner. In particular, the full terms of reference and findings, not just a general statement, must be shared with the Canadian public. 

This multinational takeover of forests across the country will have a lasting impact for generations to come. Over 12,000 people have signed a petition demanding more transparency from the biggest logging company in Canada and their calls will only get louder.”

Timer Manurung, Chairman, Auriga Nusantara, said:

“FSC’s plan to conduct a group review suggests that it may be finally addressing the Paper Excellence skeletons in its closet. Already in Indonesia the links between Paper Excellence, Asia Pulp & Paper and the Sinar Mas Group are common knowledge. More importantly, civil society, including Auriga Nusantara, has been informing the FSC about this linkage for years.

The slow pace of FSC’s response to date risks more deforestation, wildfires and social injustices. We urge the FSC to remember its mission and to improve its approach in the future, including with this imminent review of Paper Excellence.”

ENDS 

Note to editors:

  • Asia Pulp & Paper was formally disassociated from the FSC, and prohibited from holding certification, as a result of “destructive forestry practices” in 2007;
  • The full complaint is available here; 
  • 2023 media backgrounder can be found here; 
  • Greenpeace Canada’s public petition calling for greater transparency from Paper Excellence is here;
  • Greenpeace Canada 2022 investigation – “Papering over corporate control” can be found here; 
  • Timeline: Paper Excellence’s takeover of the logging industry in Canada is available here. 

For more information, please contact: 

Dina Ni, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Canada

[email protected]; +1 416 820-2148