Customs analysis finds illegal Indonesian timber flooding U.S. ports

Customs analysis finds illegal Indonesian timber flooding U.S. ports Two timber shipments arriving every day in U.S. ports from Indonesia are categorized as illegal under Indonesian law, according to a new analysis of customs data.
   The news follows the release of The Thousand Headed Snake, a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency and Telapak last week in Indonesia, describing how judicial corruption and growing consumer demand for cheap wood products are undermining the Indonesian government's efforts to stop illegal logging.
   'The illegal timber trade is a serious problem, and this report makes clear that we must do something to stop the irreparable damage being caused to Indonesian forests and global business,” Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said in a statement. “EIA has performed an invaluable service in highlighting this criminal practice, and I am committed to bringing an end to this egregious trade.'
   Customs data show that much of this timber ends up in the United States, where importing illegally-sourced wood is allowed under current law. At least 786 shipments declared as Indonesian sawn timber and logs — more than two per day — entered the United States in 2006, despite Indonesia's export ban on these products. Three U.S. ports — Los Angeles, Long Beach and Tacoma — received more than half the shipments.
   EIA-Telapak investigations have revealed that illicit timber is again flowing out of Indonesia after a 2005 reduction in smuggling.
   'The Indonesian government has made some progress in combating illegal logging, but the results in terms of prosecution of the main culprits have been very poor,' said M. Yayat Afianto of Telapak. 'Without a strong deterrent, the problem will get worse again as the timber barons realize they have nothing to fear.'
   One deterrent that experts are pointing to is the bipartisan Legal Timber Protection Act (H.R.1497), a bill introduced by three U.S. Congressmen March 13. The bill prohibits trade in illegally harvested timber and wood products.