The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has confirmed that as from August 9 its 153 member states will no longer be able to import ramin in any form.
The move follows a probe by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Telepak Indonesia which revealed massive illegal logging of ramin. They lobbied the government of Indonesia to secure international support for a trade ban and accused the country’s timber industry of covering up the extent of the illegal activity.
Julian Newman, EIA senior campaigner, said: ‘The ramin ban is a vital step forward in protecting Indonesia’s remaining forests. The figures issued by the timber industry show a heavy reliance on illegal logs and a blatant disregard for the impact of massive illegal logging on Indonesia forests and forest-dwelling people.’
