30 Sep 2005

Papua New Guinea loggers group says company illegally felling timber

10:16 am on 30 September 2005

The Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association says authorities must stop a company which it says is operating illegally in Central Province.

The association says the company, which isn't one of its members, must have its licence revoked.

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum welcomes the association's stance, but it says it should go further and condemn all illegal and unsustainable logging and not just pick on operators who aren't its members.

The Forum says recent compliance audits issued by the government suggest that some of the largest logging projects in Papua New Guinea are being operated illegally by companies belonging to the Forest Industries Association.

The Forum also claims the association opposed an attempt two years ago to deregister the company it now says is logging illegally.