APRIL's no-burning policy

APRIL's no-burning policy

SINGAPORE (Reuter): The Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd (APRIL) group said yesterday it does not use fire to clear land in Indonesian forestry operations.

It said in a statement its subsidiary P.T. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper submitted full audit reports to the Indonesian Minister of Forestry on Sept. 25 confirming this no-burning policy.

"The APRIL Group has always taken its forestry practices very seriously. As a matter of policy, no member of the APRIL group uses burning to clear land, currently and in the past," it said.

The group was responding to allegations made last week by the Indonesian Forestry Minister it was on a list of companies which had not submitted the required audit reports certifying full adherence to the non-burning laws of Indonesia.

April, a major producer of pulp, paper and viscose fiber targeted for Asia Pacific markets, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.