The US spends $3.8 billion a year on imports of illegally logged timber, according to figures obtained by the Environmental Investigation Agency. This makes it the world’s biggest consumer of plundered wood.
The latest revelation is likely to pile pressure on the US to alter its stance. Last week leaked documents revealed the State Department is trying to foil a G8 initiative to curb the illegal logging.
The proposal suggested by Hilary Benn, the UK’s International Development Secretary, on behalf of the Indonesian government, calls for internationally recognised schemes to license and certify timber. But two days before G8 environment…
