November 2008 Update: ITTO 44th meeting of the ITTC, Yokohama, trade discussion outcomes including the FIA's presentation
3 - 8 November 2008, in Yokohama, Japan
For photos of daily events and more details click here and view images and details by date, including the election of PNG's representative as Council Vice Chair.
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Economic Analysis and Potential of PNG Forestry Industry
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been engaged by the Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association (PNG FIA) to undertake a review of the economic contribution of the forestry industry to the PNG economy. This review has looked to analyse the key areas where the forestry industry is making a significant contribution to the PNG economy. . . [more]
GIFC: PNG FIA Porposals 16/08/2007
On behalf of the PNG Forest Industries Association, I have pleasure in attaching a paper with proposals the Australian Government may wish to consider under the Global Initiative on Forests and Climate. . . [more]
Executive Summary
The Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association (PNG FIA) welcomes the Australian Government's Global Initiative on Forests and Climate (GIFC). Papua New Guinea's (PNG) forest conditions are unique. GIFC projects need to reflect PNG land tenure, legal, policy
and institutional arrangements and realities. . . [more]
GLOBAL INITIATIVE ON FORESTS AND CLIMATE
Sydney, Australia - 23-25 July 2007
MAXIMISING THE CARBON ABSORBTIVE CAPACITY OF PNG FORESTS
THE CATALYTIC ROLE OF COMMERCIAL FORESTRY
by Bob Tate, FIA PNG
The Australian Government's GIFC initiative is important and timely. I welcome the
opportunity to give the PNG forest industry's perspective on mobilising private sector
investment. . . [more]
PNGFIA Proposal To AusAid
Commentary on Aid and the Environment: Building Resilience; Sustaining Growth. A framework for an environment strategy for Australian Aid. . . [more]
PNG FORESTY SECTOR: AN OVERVIEW
42nd ITTO Meeting, Port Moresby, May 2007
by Bob Tate, FIA PNG
Ownership of almost all forested land in PNG remains with the traditional landowners and access can only be gained to these after Government has negotiated and agreement with these landowners. . . [more]
ILLEGAL LOGGING IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
The Other Side of the Story
by DR KWAME ASUMADU*
In recent years, several Papua New Guinea (PNG) and international environmental non¬governmental organizations {ENGOs) have spearheaded an aggressive campaign to stop commercial harvesting of timber in Papua New Guinea. The ENGOs have argued consistently that all commercial harvesting of timber in PNG is both illegal and unsustainable. As a result of these campaigns, market access for PNG's wood products, especially in the United Kingdom and Australia, is threatened. . . [more]
WHAT CONSTITUTES ILLEGAL LOGGING?
by Tim Curtin
Senator Eric Abetz, Australia's Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, in his foreword to the discussion paper Bringing down the axe on illegal logging (Australia 2006), states that there are 'significant volumes of illegally sourced timber and timber products that continue to be imported into this country [worth] an estimated (over) $400 million'. The Finnish consultancy firm, Jaakko Poyry Consulting (JPC), provided this estimate in their report to his Department Jaakko Poyry
Consulting 2005). . . [more]
Illegal Logging - a Green attack on the WTO, the UNCED consensus and the poor
by Alan Oxley
Illegal logging has been heated up by Greenpeace and WWF to become the latest issue in
the long running campaigns to create a global convention on forestry and weaken the World
Trade Organization (WTO).
. . [more]
SGS [Timber Legality and Trace Verification]
Towards a legal and sustainable timber trade
SGS has designed a service geared at assisting both forestry and wood processing companies achieve market regognition for their efforts to improve forest management standards under their control and assisting companies trading in 'legal' timber products.
. . [more]
The Economic Importance of Forestry to Papua New Guinea
Presentation by Bob Tate
Executive Officer, Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association
Regional Seminar on Forest Law and Governance
Holiday Inn, Port Moresby - 10 - 11 October 2006
PNGFIA represents eighty-five percent of PNG's forest industries. All members of the Association comply fully with PNG laws and regulations governing forestry.
We employ 10,000 people and provide infrastructure in rural areas, including health and education facilities, which otherwise would not exist. . . .[complete presentation]
Source: The Financial Review
Greenpeace tactics have many seeing red
24 January 2007: Environmental warriors should know that war has rules, writes Alan Oxley.
Greenpeace loves controversy. It's a modern day Robin Hood riding inflatable boats instead of horses and shooting videos instead of arrows.
More...
Source: Forestry and Development E-News
Australian government refuses NGO calls for tropical timber ban
2 November 2006: In a draft policy paper, the Australian government has produced a list of measures it is planning to undertake to tackle the issue of illegal logging. Despite the pressure from green NGOs such as Greenpeace, the discussion paper rules out banning imports of tropical timber from countries such as Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Solomon Islands. Instead, it focuses on voluntary industry measures, and supports a government review of forest certification schemes. More...
Australian Treasury rejects NGO allegations against ANZ
20 October 2006: The Australian Treasury has ruled that ANZ has no case to answer in an NGO complaint which asserted that, by having financial links to Rimbunan Hijau, ANZ is breaching various OECD Guidelines. The complaint was lodged by a consortium of NGOs (including the Australian Conservation Foundation, CELCOR and Human Rights Council of Australia), and made references to 'respect of human rights' and 'contribution to economic, social and environmental progress'. More...
World Bank allegations against PNG lacking evidence
16 September 2006: The World Bank has published Strengthening Forest Law Enforcement and Governance - Addressing a Systemic Constraint to Sustainable Development, a report which estimates the effects of illegal logging in developing countries. The report claims that an estimated 70 per cent of Papua New Guinea's total forest production is illegal, but the claim lacks evidence. More...
Greenpeace criticised in The Australian
16 September 2006: The Australian has published "A skewed vision from team green", an article by Alan Oxley on commercial forestry in Papua New Guinea. The article exposes to the lack of evidence supporting the claims of human rights abuses in the industry, made in the report recently released by CELCOR and Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). It also points to the need for forestry companies operating in remote areas to call in police forces to keep order, refuting CELCOR-ACF insinuations that forestry companies are responsible for distribution of arms throughout PNG. More...
Greenpeace and WWF respond to ITS Global report
August 2006: Greenpeace International and WWF South Pacific have posted separate responses to Whatever it takes: Greenpeace's anti-forestry campaign in Papua New Guinea, a report by ITS Global. Greenpeace has challenged the independence of the report, citing the fact that the report was commissioned and paid for by Rimbunan Hijau. It also disputes the claim that its policies impede development in PNG, and maintains the claims of illegality and human rights abuses in the PNG forest industry. To support these allegations, Greenpeace produces a list of sources used in its previous reports (which were dealt with by ITS Global); no new evidence is provided. More...
NGOs target ANZ for its association with Rimbunan Hijau
23 August 2006: A five-member coalition of Australian and PNG NGOs has filed a formal complaint to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) against the ANZ Bank over the latter's relationship with Rimbunan Hijau. ANZ is accused of being complicit in the alleged environmental and social damage caused by RH, thus breaching OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The claims largely rely on evidence discredited by ITS Global. More...
NATIONAL SCHOOL TREE NURSERY PROJECT - "TREES FOR SURVIVAL"
Under the sponsorship of the PNG Forest Industry Association, Galley Reach Holdings, Port Moresby Rotary Club, Bulolo Rotary Club, the Office of Environment & Conservation and the National Capital Botanical Gardens a major revegetation project is being undertaken involving Port Moresby schools based on the Rotary model of "trees for survival". [more]
EDUCATION
NEW: University and Timber Forestry Training Course details have been added under menu item Education
FIA LIBRARY
Please click on the menu item "Library" to view export statistics for the years 2001 to 2005, images of logging operations in PNG, timber utilization as well as full details of PNG environmental legislation under 'free downloads'. There are quite a number of interesting items for free download, e.g. A Short Guide To Selling of PNG Timber.
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FORESTRY ACT & REGULATION
View the complete and up to date, inlcuding all amendments, Forestry Act 1991 and Forestry Regulations 1998.
Click here to download the Forestry (Amendment) Act 2010
CCA TREATED TIMBER
CCA stands for Copper Chrome Arsenic. The copper in this treatments acts as a fungicide whilst the arsenic acts as an insecticide. What makes this treatment potentially hazardous to humans and the environment is the arsenic. [more]
Click here to download the TREATED TIMBER PNG II
USAGE AND STATUS OF METHYL BROMIDE
The First Extraordinary meeting which was held in Canada on the 14-16 March 2004 decided that there must be further adjustments reductions to the use of methyl bromide in order to control and eventually phase-out the chemical for the period beyond 2005 [more]
May 2008 UPDATES
FIA PNG OBJECTIVES
The Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association (inc.) is an incorporated association of companies involved in all levels of operation in the timber industry in Papua New Guinea. It has the following objectives. [more]
DECEPTIVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST RH
Two anonymous websites have mounted a slander campaign against the forestry industry and,
specifically, Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group, the largest forestry business in Papua New
Guinea (PNG). Masalai i Tokaut is a web-based newsletter which circulates allegations of
corruption and mismanagement in the forestry industry. Rimbunan Hijau Watch is a website
whose sole purpose seems to be to disparage and undermine the credibility and business interests
of Rimbunan Hijau. [more]
WOOD PACKAGING CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR EXPORT
Manual is prepared by the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Service. [more]
ENVIRONMENT ACTS & REGULATIONS
Every Act & Regulation covering the Environment of Papua New Guinea can be downloaded in PDF format from this site. Please go to the menu at left and browse to "Library" and "Acts & Laws" to select all Environment Acts and Regulations.
Click here to download the Environment (Amendment) Act 2010
OBTAINING A SUSTAINABLE PNG FORESTRY INDUSTRY
THE Forest Industries of Papua New Guinea are important because they provide many thousands of jobs for the people of this country and help deliver services such as community schools, aid posts and roads to village people. [more]
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE BASE FOR PNG
At a recent conference in Lae titled “Building Partnerships for the Future” the Director of the National Planning Office, Kila Ai, said that ‘it was hard to see how, even with PNG's abundant resources, the country could sustain its mounting population with a standard of living that was acceptable'. That PNG currently enjoys abundant natural resources is not in doubt but what of the future? What impact will a growing population have on our resources and sustainable development? [more]
AN INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE OF NATIONAL FOREST PLANS
The requirement for a National Forest Plan was prescribed in the National Forest Policy approved by Parliament in 1990. Two and a half to three years ground work went into the policy statement from a fairly exhaustive process of discussion and back ground work by a wide spectrum of interests,(but mostly governmental). [more]
SUCCESSFULLY MANAGING THE COUNTRY'S FOREST RESOURCES
PNG is a member of the International Tropical Timber Organization, ITTO a body representing the governments of most countries involved in the international trade of tropical timber and logs. ITTO. and its member governments have adopted "The Year 2000 Objective" which aims to have all tropical forest production carried out on a sustainable basis by the year 2000. [more]
PNG forest industry abusing human rights, says AFC
7 August 2006: The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has produced a report which accuses the commercial forestry sector in Papua New Guinea of causing 'spiralling abuse of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights'. The report, Bulldozing progress: human rights abuses and corruption in Papua New Guinea's large scale logging industry, recycles material from papers by Greenpeace attacking the PNG forestry sector. More...
New report highlights the importance of commercial forestry in PNG
26 July 2006: A new report has found that commercial forestry is a consistent contributor to growth in Papua New Guinea and could play a larger role in development in the future. The Economic Importance of the Forestry Industry to Papua New Guinea, produced by ITS Global, marks a first attempt to estimate the economic value of the infrastructure created by commercial forestry in PNG. To see the report in full, click here.
PNG accused of transfer pricing, but evidence lacking
20 July 2006: A news article in The Australian has accused the Papua New Guinea forest industry of engaging in transfer pricing, resulting in the loss of A$100 million a year in tax revenue for the PNG government. However, the news item fails to provide adequate evidence for the claim, citing only the difference in export prices of timber from PNG, Malaysia and western Africa. Other factors influencing export prices have been ignored, and the allegation of an A$100 million tax revenue loss is referenced to unspecified "industry sources". The PNG Forest Industries Association has denied the claim.
Greenpeace campaign against forestry in PNG laid bare
15 July 2006: ITS Global has released a report which reveals that a campaign run by Greenpeace against Rimbunan Hijau (the largest forestry company in PNG) is baseless. Greenpeace claims that Rimbunan Hijau's logging is illegal and is destroying the environment. It also claims that the company abuses human and labour rights, and is engaged in corruption. None of these claims can be substantiated. To access the full text, click here.
Greenpeace climbs building in protest
12 July 2006: Greenpeace has staged a 12-hour protest on top of the UK government's Cabinet Office building, claiming that the latter is being refurbished using timber from Papua New Guinea. Greenpeace has long asserted that commercial forestry in PNG is illegal. More...
Skewed vision from team green
Alan Oxley says Greenpeace is using misleading claims to cut down logging
"The Australian" September 16, 2006
GREENPEACE is running a campaign that is raising eyebrows. It is accusing one large company of rape, enslaving its workers, abusing human rights, employing police brutality and corruption. In the worst criticism Greenpeace heaped on Shell over oil drilling in the North Sea and on Monsanto for developing and selling genetically modified oilseeds, it never resorted to such abuse. So who is the target now?
. . [complete article]
The Economic Importance of the Forestry Industry to Papua New Guinea
Forestry's contribution to the economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is significant. Export taxes
on logs account for 3 to 6 percent of all tax. Between 1990 and 2005 such taxes represented
an average of around 30 percent of all development expenditure by the national government.
. . [more]
A CAMPAIGN TO STOP COMMERCIAL FORESTRY IN PNG
Since 2004, Greenpeace has spearheaded an aggressive campaign to stop commercial forestry in
Papua New Guinea (PNG). It has conducted the campaign by proxy. It has focussed its attack
on Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group, the major player in Papua New Guinea's forestry industry. [more]
CHALLENGES FOR THE PRESENT AND FUTURE
The forest industry is on the 'user end' of Government decisions and actions in regards to a stable investment climate, and resource security. Without these, a faltering sector will result and FNG will fare poorly in terms of the potential offered by the sustainable development of her forest resources. [more]
EXPORT STATISTICS
PNG Log Export Statistics for the years 2001 to 2004 and 2005 by species and country. Also view the '2005 log exports to date' data file. New data showing exports stats from 1992 to 2002 have been added.
ILLEGAL LOGGING ACTIVITIES IN PNG
The legal framework under which the forest sector operates is enshrined in the PNG constitution, the Forest Act 1991(as amended in 1996/2000/2005) and a number of relevant acts of parliament as they relate to the development, management and utilization of PNG's forest resources. All harvesting operations must operate under procedures as laid down under the PNG logging Code of Practice 1996 and the Environment Act 2000. [more]
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