Half of Myanmar logging is illegal
17 April 2014The Myanmar government has been accused of presiding over a multi-billion dollar black hole of illegal logging and exports, indicative of widespread criminality and corruption.
The Environmental Investigation Agency has scrutinised official figures on log harvests and timber exports over 15 years. During 2000-2013 official exports accounted for only 28% of all recorded trade in Myanmar logs.
The study also found official harvest volumes were only 53% of imports, leaving 47% of all logging illegal.
"The government's official data on forestry and timber exports reveals endemic illegal logging and timber smuggling - crime only possible through institutionalised corruption on a huge scale," said EIA forest campaign leader Faith Doherty.
When discounting log transits across the land border with China, which Myanmar deems illegal, official export volumes were still 38% of recorded imports, indicating 62% of log exports ¬- about 8 million m3 - were unauthorised, EIA said.
