Forest Charter And Unced

EDM number 194 in 1992-93, proposed by Nigel Jones on 04/06/1992.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Scottish Forest Charter by Reforesting Scotland and the Ecologist magazine; fully supports the presentation of the Forest Charter at the Earth Summit as part of a co-ordinated effort by non-governmental organisations from Canada, the USA., Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia and Scotland to highlight the current destruction of temperate boreal forests; notes that 30 per cent. of natural woodland areas in Scotland have been destroyed between 1950 and 1980, further notes the destruction of natural forests and the knock on effect on endangered species in other developed countries, for example in Canada where all unprotected forests in Vancouver Island will disappear by 2022 if present logging levels continue, and in Finland where 217 species are on endangered species lists due to the unchecked felling of mature forests; believes that it is hypocritical for developed countries to place the emphasis on the destruction of tropical rainforests in developing countries, whilst continuing to wantonly destroy natural forests within their own countries at an alarming rate; further believes that developed countries must reduce their consumption of forest products; calls on Her Majesty's Government to recognise that their current complacency over the destruction of natural forests in developed countries is a threat to the achievement of internationally binding agreements on forest protection and management; and further calls on Her Majesty's Government to take action at UNCED to protect, sustain and restore forest lands in both the developed and developing countries.

This motion has been signed by a total of 35 MPs.