Plans to introduce mandatory labelling of imported kwila timber have been axed.
Kwila is a tropical hardwood under serious threat from illegal logging although it’s still widely used for outdoor furniture and decking. Mandatory labelling was expected this year but the government has quashed these plans – it intends to rely on voluntary labelling instead.
We’re disappointed with the government’s decision. Our investigation of imported furniture found it was difficult for consumers to be sure of what they were buying.
We think importers have a responsibility to prove that the timber products they’re bringing in are legally sourced. We’d like to see all imported furniture labelled to show where it’s made and what it’s made from, so consumers can make an informed choice.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Imported furniture - our December 2008 investigation
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Suppliers will get the message if enough people complain and/or threaten to boycott non compliant timbers suppliers.
New Zealanders are proud of our "clean green" image. It's naive of us to champion such a stance and then openly abuse environmental protection in other countries - by obscuring from NZ consumers the origin of imported timber. Voluntary compliance is equivalent to inaction, and plays straight into the hands of illegal loggers. Their timber will be cheaper than sustainably logged product, and without labelling consumers will unknowingly (and sometimes uncaringly)be on the purchasing end of illegal destruction of tropical forests. And forests, of course, are complex ecosystems composed of literally thousands of species.
2010 is the United Nation's International Year of Biodiversity, and our Government's inaction appears to be counter to global initiatives by "aware" countries. I wonder who the timber lobbyists are, and why is our Government choosing to listen to them??
I've already noted that most newspaper advertisements for imported timbers and for imported furniture totally ignore the source of the timber. I've also sometimes enquired, and a common response is: "We think it's from a sustainable source, but no we don't have any written confirmation of this". In other words - likely not sustainable and "buyer beware". Very pleased to see product at The Warehouse and some at Bunnings carrying FSC certification. That certainly influences me in purchasing decisions.
Full marks to Consumer for notifying this to your subscribers.
I'm really disappointed that this labelling system has been cancelled. All we want to do is be better informed as consumers! Knowing the source of the timber in furniture is surely not too much to ask?!