Jamie Durie launches Greenpeace Good Wood Guide

Jamie Durie launches Greenpeace Good Wood Guide and Joint Statement on Illegal Logging
Australia's leading home improvement retailer, Bunnings and leading home furnishings retailer, IKEA sign on
Award winning landscape designer & horticulturalist, best selling author and television presenter Jamie Durie, launched the new Greenpeace Good Wood Guide and a Joint Statement on illegal logging at the Sydney Theatre Company today.

Jamie Durie joined Bunnings, major timber importer Simmonds and a host of other industry and non-government organisations in the call to halt illegal timber imports and encourage Australians to buy legally sourced timber.

"Like lots of people, I want to be sure that the wood I use is sourced ethically, legally, and without destroying the precious forests that many people in neighbouring countries call home," said Durie, in his role as Ambassador of The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

"The Good Wood Guide shows Australians that they don't have to destroy someone's home to create their own.

"This dynamic online guide shows builders, designers, architects and DIY enthusiasts where to find FSC certified and eco-timber and is an essential first stop for everyone looking to build and renovate without damaging fragile ecosystems and the climate."

At the same event, key companies and organisations involved in the Australian timber industry including Bunnings, IKEA, Fantastic Furniture and Simmonds Lumber joined with Jamie Durie, Greenpeace, WWF and Oxfam in a Joint Statement calling on the Rudd Government to halt the importation of illegally logged timber from nearby countries like PNG, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.

Australia imports approximately $400 million worth of illegal timber products each year and the rate of illegal logging in our region is amongst the highest in the world. Illegal logging is linked to loss of livelihoods, irreversible biodiversity loss and devastating deforestation- a major contribution to global climate change.

"Bunnings is supportive of the government introducing effective measures to prevent illegal timber imports," Bunnings Managing Director John Gillam said.

"We've worked very earnestly for the past decade in an ongoing effort to eliminate illegally logged timber from our supply chain and offer our customers sustainable solutions. We would encourage consumers to ask questions of their retailer or timber merchant to satisfy themselves that their purchase is from a verifiable legal source,"

Country Manager of IKEA Australia, David Hood, said that customers trust IKEA to know that their wood is eco-friendly.

"As a company who relies on forest resources as our most important raw material, the successful growth of our business is dependent upon an environmentally and socially sustainable wood supply chain.

"Our customers expect that IKEA takes responsibility for knowing where our wood comes from and ensuring that our business does not negatively impact on people or the environment.

"We ask that the Government be supportive of businesses who invest in environmentally and sustainable wood supply chains by taking measures to prevent the trade in illegal timber", said Hood.

Despite the Government's pledge to stop illegal logging as part of its 2007 election platform, the Government admitted last week in the Senate that illegal imports may be allowed to continue.

"The Rudd Government needs to live up to its promise and stop this trade," said Greenpeace Campaigns Director Steve Campbell.

"Illegal logging is a major driver of deforestation, responsible for about a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions and significant biodiversity loss. The legislation being considered this year is an opportunity to finally introduce strong, unambiguous law," said Campbell.

Sydney Theatre Company also presented its 'Greening the Wharf' project today and hosted an exhibition of ecoforestry images by award winning photographers Dean Sewell, Michael Amendolia, Fiona Morris and Natalie Behring.

www.goodwoodguide.org.au