Churchgoers are being urged to write to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn with a plea to support a Bill to end the importing of illegal timber into the UK.

The UK imports £700 million of illegally sourced timber every year, making it the third largest importer of illegal wood in the world. International development agency Progressio is highlighting this 'destructive trade' by supporting a Private Member's Bill from Barry Gardiner MP, due for Second Reading on October 17.

"I think many people will be shocked to hear that, as consumers, we may unwittingly be buying wood that contributes to deforestation, climate change, loss of biodiversity and poverty in developing countries," says Lizzette Robleto, Progressio's Advocacy Officer.

"People we work with in developing countries tell us that illegal logging includes the terrorising of poor communities and even the murder of community activist opponents of environmental destruction. We should be doing all we can to end this destructive trade."

Progressio's website tells the story of a poor farmer in Ecuador called Juan, who was thrown off his land by a logging company. He recounts: "They sent in 200 people to kidnap us - 36 of us were held for three days. They beat people up, in ways you cannot imagine. They have no conscience. They just want what they want for themselves and don't care who suffers."

Progressio is encouraging people to send Hilary Benn an email via its website Progressio.org. Progressio's letter to Hilary Benn points out that producer countries are losing £7.5 billion a year because of illegal logging.

"Global development goals, for so long championed personally by you and the UK Government, are being undermined by illegal logging," the letter states.

Lizzette Robleto concludes: "Private Members' Bills rarely become law which is why we are so keen to show Hilary Benn the strength of feeling there is among the public for strong Government action. This Bill could be a crucial step towards making it illegal to distribute or sell illegally-sourced wood in the UK."


On the web: www.progressio.org.uk