WWF-Australia - for a living planet

Australia Forest and Trade Network (AFTN)

Illegal logging in the lowland rainforest, Peru © WWF-Canon/André BÄRTSCHI

Illegal logging in the lowland rainforest, Peru
© WWF-Canon/André BÄRTSCHI

Australia imports hundreds of millions of dollars of illegally harvested timber every year, mostly in the form of outdoor tables and chairs, shelves and other household items, or hidden in the common paper products we use every day.

According to a 2005 Australian Government report (PDF 172 KB), around $400 million worth of illegally harvested timber is imported into Australia annually, which represents around 9% of our total timber imports.

Asia Pacific countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma and Papua New Guinea are believed to be major sources of illegally harvested timber entering Australia. Worldwide, illegal logging is on the rise, and in some African countries it is estimated that up to 80% of all harvested trees are taken illegally.

Illegal logging contributes to major environmental and social problems, including the habitat destruction of such species as Sumatran tigers, orang-utans, rhinos and elephants.

Because illegal logging operators don't pay royalties to governments and communities, local people are deprived of the economic benefits a legal timber industry can bring and are often kept locked in a cycle of poverty and exploitation.

The Australia Forest and Trade Network

As part of our battle to stem the global flow of illegal timber and encourage well-managed forests, WWF has established the Australia Forest and Trade Network (AFTN), which is the national arm of the Global Forest and Trade Network, as part of a partnership with ITC Limited.

The Global Forest and Trade Network is an alliance of national networks all working to promote the responsible purchasing of timber products, and to create market incentives for forest managers to improve forestry practices where it matters most.

The Australia Forest and Trade Network has it's own website with the latest news and more information about how to become part of the network.

FSC certification

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo printed on sustainably sourced timber © WWF-Canon/Edward PARKER

Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo when buying timber products
© WWF-Canon/Edward PARKER

Responsible forest managers can demonstrate their high standards by securing certification to the internationally-recognised Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

FSC certification tells consumers that the furniture or paper products they're buying have been made from timber or fibres sourced from legal and well-managed forests. Companies that participate in the AFTN go beyond just eliminating illegal timber by increasing the amount of timber and paper they buy from forests independently certified as well-managed.

WWF is working to increase the number of FSC certified timber and paper products on the market. We're also encouraging consumers to request that their furniture and other timber products be sourced from logging operations that are not causing environmental and social harm.

How you can help

While the number of FSC certified timber and paper products on the market today is still small, we hope that their furniture and other timber products be sourced from logging operations that are not causing environmental and social harm.

Look for FSC labeled products when selecting your furniture and other timber items, or ask your retailer if they stock FSC-labeled products - and if they don't encourage them to start.

Find out more

The Australia Forest and Trade Network has it's own website with the latest news and more information about how to become part of the network.

The AFTN also publishes a quarterly newsletter:

For more information contact:

Andrew Rouse, Australia Forest and Trade Network Coordinator, WWF-Australia
Phone: +61 3 9669 1300
Email: Email Andrew