Archived press release

Swedish companies urged to condemn logging

16 January 1997

Following the logging last week of some of the most valuable old-growth forest in Sweden at Njakafjall, Friends of the Earth has written to the major Swedish companies that export to the UK [1], urging them to condemn the loggings and declare that they will not buy the timber from this area.

The 2,600 ha of forest at Njakafjall is part of the old-growth forest along the Swedish mountain range, which is the largest remaining old-growth forest area in Europe outside Russia. Dominated by ancient old spruce trees up to 400 years old and home to many threatened species, Njakafjall is not only of recognised national importance, it has great international significance too.

The issue of its protection caused national and international outcry in the early 1990s, but,although a moratorium has been declared in a small core area, the remainder of the forest remains under threat and, as the current activities show, may be destroyed at any time.The Swedish Environment Protection Agency has stated that the area should be protected but lack the resources to do so.

Dr Georgina Green of Friends of the Earth said:

" The logging of such an internationally important area is a scandal, and illustrates just how inadequate the measure for forest protection are in Sweden.Consumers of Swedish forest products in the UK do not want to be associated with such destruction."

The forest was being logged by Norrskog (an owners cooperative), last week, until environmentalists managed to stop the logging on Friday 10 January. It has since been revelaed that Assi-Doman, who have promoted themselves as having the most environmentally aware forestry practices, were buying the timber from the area. Having been "caught in the act" and confronted by environmentalists, Assi-Doman has now issued a statement saying they will not buy any further logs from Njakafjall.

Georgina Green added:

"The fact a company such as Assi-Doman, which has categorically stated it does not buy timber from old-growth forests, was buying the wood shows how little lies behind these promises and how inadequate are the companies' systems to implement such promises. A complete moratorium on logging in all old-growth forests is the only way to ensure these irreplaceable areas are saved."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Friends of the Earth has written to Assi-Doman, SCA, Stora, MoDo and Korsnas (who are major exporters to the UK) and also to Norrskog (who have been doing the logging).

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust