EIA calls for ban of illegally logged timber in UK

The Environment Investigation Agency (EIA) is campaigning for legislation to ban sales of illegally logged timber.

The UK is Europe's largest importer of illegal wood with stolen timber worth around £700 million annually imported into the country. The EIA says this is because voluntary schemes are not working and consumers don’t ask because they presume it is already illegal.

‘Consumers assume it is already banned, but are still unwittingly buying illegal wood every day‘, said Faith Doherty, EIA senior forests campaigner.

The only way consumers can guarantee they are buying sustainable wood is to buy products certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council.

‘It's a bit of a minefield - consumers will have to do a bit of work to ensure they are not contributing to the destruction of rainforests,’ said an EIA spokesman.

The EIA urges consumers next time they buy wood to ask its name. It advises to steer clear of the following:

Ramin - a light-coloured wood illegally logged in Indonesia used in Venetian blinds, picture frames, pool cues and tool handles.

Merbau - a reddish mahogany wood found in a lot of outdoor decking.

Bengkirai (or Balau) - a yellow-coloured wood used in garden furniture.

Meranti (or Lauan), a dark reddish wood from Indonesia used in plywood, doors and window frames.