Article 13 group calls for immediate ban on log exports

President Irfaan Ali delivering his address to world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland (Office of the President photo)

Civil society group Article 13 has issued a call for the government to ban the exportation of logs and provide full disclosure on foreign companies working in Guyana’s forestry sector.

“We  are  aware  of  the  distinctions  between  commercial  logging  for  export,  for  local  use  and  for clearing to  facilitate  infrastructure  and  other  developmental  purposes.  Article 13 demands full information  on  all  activities,  including  planned  activities,  of  foreign  deforesters  operating  in Guyana,”  the group said, while making a  distinction between commercial deforesters and local operators  who  satisfy  the  local  demand  for  housing  and  construction. “The people  of  Guyana deserve  to  know  the  present  rate  and  quantity  of  forest  degradation,  including  a  breakdown delineating  foreign  versus  domestic  usage.  In this regard, Article 13 holds that Guyana must immediately ban all exports of logs,” it added.