Millions lost in illegal timber trade with China

Illegal logging incurs US$ 200 million worth of losses every year according to the Myanmar Timber Merchants Association.

The timber which is logged mainly in Kachin and Shan states, is exported to China across porous northern border areas. 

"The illegal exports are mainly to China and they are being cut off from forests in Kachin State," said Barbar Cho Secretary General of Myanmar Timber Merchants Association.

Myanmar is the most deforestation country in the region, according to reports from World Food Organisation (WFO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The root causes of deforestation are illegal logging, farming and production of firewood and charcoal.

The most affected areas in Myanmar are Kachin and Shan states near Myanmar-China border as well as Kayin and Kayah states near the Myanmar-Thai border.

Myanmar needs the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan to be recognised as an official timber exporter, which would allow them to export to the European Union, United States and Japan.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/4314-millions-lost-in-illegal-timber-trade-with-china