Illegale Holzschlägerungen

* Indonesian illegal logging hurting U.S. industry -report

* Trade tools can help clean up the sector

* Illegal logging threat to efforts to fight climate change

There is a “significant” level of illegality in Guyana’s forestry sector though it is lower than in several other major tropical timber producing countries in South America and around the world, according to a study commissioned by Norway’s Ministry of the Environment.

A survey of 78 forestry concessions in Peru found that 46 (59 percent) were in breach of their concession contracts, reports the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).

Monitoring conducted by Peru's Agency for Supervision of Forest Resources and Wildlife (OSINFOR) during 2009 found that many forestry companies were violating their operating plans by overharvesting timber. OSINFOR president Richard Bustamante warned that some concessions could be canceled and firms fined.

The practical challenges of successfully tackling deforestation and restoring forests in developing countries have been highlighted by problems facing an otherwise successful forestry programme in Indonesia. One of the country’s model community forestry projects is now being compromised by illegal logging with action so far taken by authorities not enough to halt it even though laws exist to do so, the Jakarta Post reports.