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Notes to broadcasters on illegal logging

Illegal logging can affect national economies as well as local communities. The European Union’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement aims to regulate the timber industry, and ensure that all timber which reaches EU markets comes from legal sources. The agreement aims to ensure that governments benefit from taxes generated, and that communities and workers are treated fairly. From reports this week, it is unclear how much attention is being paid to the sustainability of forests which are logged, or how the timber business affects the biodiversity of forests and the local environment. 

For more information on Voluntary Partnership Agreements and EU timber regulations, visit:  http://www.euflegt.efi.int/portal/ [1]

This site also has a Frequently Asked Questions section that provides information about the EU and logging: http://www.africa-eu-partnership.org/news/eu-and-liberia-fight-against-illegal-logging [2]

This site provides information and resources about illegal logging in general: http://www.illegal-logging.info/ [3]

For more information about Silas Kpanan’Ayoung Siakor and how his actions contributed to saving Liberia’s forests, see: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841778_1841781_1841809,00.html [4]

Browse our bank of scripts on trees and forestry here: http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/forestry.asp [5]

Previously published stories related to forests in Farm Radio Weekly include:

Madagascar: Women blend agriculture with forest restoration (FRW 112, May 2010). http://weekly.farmradio.org/2010/05/24/2-madagascar-women-blend-agriculture-with-forest-restoration-ips-gender-links/ [6]

Uganda: A new farming activity for communities near Uganda’s Bwindi National Park (FRW 115, June 2010). http://weekly.farmradio.org/2010/06/14/2-ugandaa-new-farming-activity-for-communities-near-uganda%E2%80%99s-bwindi-national-park-by-sawa-pius-for-farm-radio-weekly-in-uganda/ [7]

Kenya: Medicinal crop cultivation generates income while saving forest (FRW 65, May 2009). http://weekly.farmradio.org/2009/05/11/3-kenya-medicinal-crop-cultivation-generates-income-while-saving-forest-un-integrated-regional-information-networks/ [8]

Forests and trees play a vital part in the livelihoods of millions. You may wish to research a program highlighting the benefits of forests.

Find out if there are any NGOs working on forest issues in your region.

What issues do they work on?

Do they have field programs?

Do they focus on raising awareness?

Ask NGO or government staff what changes there have been in the environment in recent years, and how their efforts have changed as a result.

Are forests valued by farmers and businessmen in the same way? How and why might they regard forest preservation differently?