
Vanuatu forest authorities last week banned Vanuatu Forest Industry Ltd (VFIL) from exporting logs while they investigate landowners’ complaints that trees were cleared without permission on the island of Santo. The export of round logs is banned in Vanuatu, although a government inquiry in 2021 found endangered rosewood being illegally exported to China, where it is prized for furniture.
The Pacific Islands are working towards a new Pan-Pacific Standard for Sustainable Forest Management. The new standard could include Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
the new standard would greatly assist Trans-Tasman importers and provide a “green lane” for tropical timbers, most importantly demonstrating sustainable forest management. In New Zealand, the new standard could significantly assist in monitoring certified products imported into and sold through NZ building and construction networks.
Click here to access the Global Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (ILAT) Risk assessment tool and to download the Forest Trends User Guide describing the functionality of the ILAT Risk Data Tool.
Click here to access the Cattle Data Tool.