Forestry correction

Forestry correction

The May 18 article in The Jakarta Post, Tree DNA marker may
curb illegal logging, addressed a number of issues discussed at
the Indonesia-Italy Workshop on Wood research and Industrial
Needs for the Forestry Wood.

Unfortunately, in doing so the article made several basic
errors and failed to present my views within their larger
context. For starters, I am not a DNA expert as stated in the
article. I am an economist working with the Center for
International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Bogor, a non-partisan
and non-political international research organization that aims
to develop sustainable forest management and reduce poverty.
Let me say at the outset, the government has clearly stated its
commitment to curbing illegal logging. Two of its five stated
priorities are to reduce illegal logging and to restructure the
timber industry. It is also showing support for a range of forest
law enforcement activities in cooperation with Asian and European
countries. And both the President and the Minister of Forestry
have made several statements supporting efforts to reduce illegal
logging.

My comments were suggestions the government may wish to
consider in reducing illegal logging. The simple fact is far more
timber is being exported or consumed locally than is allowed
under the Ministry of Forestry's allowable cut.

Contrary to the focus of many reports, the largest share of
illegal timber exports is in the form of finished products
leaving the country legally, not the illegal export of logs. Even
if the export of illegal logs was stopped, more than 80 percent
of illegal logging would continue. The main users of logs are the
pulp and paper industry and the plywood industry. That is
why the Ministry's emphasis on restructuring the industry needs
to be implemented. The government is undertaking several
commendable initiatives on illegal logging. Increased reports
concerning the initiatives themselves and their impacts would be
useful. It would increase transparency in the forestry sector and
would therefore reduce the likelihood of government policies
being misunderstood.

LUCA TACCONI
CIFOR
Bogor, West Java

Note: Thank you for your correction. We regret that your views
were not accurately represented.

--Editor