Press release

Greenpeace blocks export of forest crimes

Helsinki 7 November 2005 -- Greenpeace activists (1) blocked Finnlines’ freight ship to prevent it loading pulp and paper in the Finnish port of Kemi today, and to prevent paper, linked to the destruction of one of Europe’s last ancient forests, being exported to make magazines.

The world’s largest paper company, Stora Enso, buys logs from areas of ancient forest in northern Lapland, which the Finnish Government has started logging themselves (2) in defiance of the country’s own
conservation laws, set up to protect endangered species from the threat of extinction (3).

“It’s a crime that thousand year old ancient forests end up as glossy magazines on coffee tables across Europe,” said Matti Liimatainen, Greenpeace Nordic forest campaigner, speaking from Kemi. “Stora Enso should stop buying destruction and the Finnish Government stop logging immediately.”

Finland’s ancient forest is also crucial for the indigenous Sámi reindeer herders of northern Lapland who need the forests to remain intact to maintain their traditional livelihood of free grazing reindeer herding. Sámi cooperatives have repeatedly asked Stora Enso and the Finnish Government to stop logging. At the end of October 2005, a local court ordered the Government to do so in one of the reindeer forest areas but it ignored the order and said it would not consider ending logging in the area unless the Sámi reindeer herders pay compensation.

“This forest is a refuge for endangered species. Both they and the Sámi livelihoods are protected by law in Finland,” continued Liimatainen. “Rather than defy its own laws, the Finnish Government should respect its people and its heritage and protect this ancient forest, not decimate it to make cheap, throw away products,” said Liimatainen.

Life on Earth depends on ancient forests. They regulate our weather, filter air, clean our water and stabilize our climate. Europe has decimated most of its ancient forests and, worldwide, only 20% survive. Two thirds of all species on land live in these forests but, at current rates of destruction, they will be gone within decades.

Greenpeace is demanding governments to save ancient forests by setting up international laws to ban the trade in destructively or illegally logged wood and establishing large areas of protected forests.

Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organization, which uses non-violent, creative communication tools to put the spotlight on global environmental problems and to drive towards solutions essential for a green and peaceful future.

For further information please contact:

Matti Liimatainen, forest campaigner, Greenpeace, +358 400 346 329

Mikael Sjövall, press officer, Greenpeace, +358 50 3696 202

Images of today’s action and of the forest are available on request.

Photos: John Novis on (M) +31 6 5381 9121

Video: Hester van Meurs on (M) +31 6 2900 1135

Notes to Editors:

1) The activists are from: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland

2) The State-owned logging company Metsähallitus actively logging in 3 areas of ancient forests of northern Lapland and planning to log in more areas in the near future. The Finnish State owns around a quarter of shares in Stora Enso and wholly owns Metsähallitus. Stora Enso is the single largest customer of Metsähallitus

3) Endangered species are protected by the Finnish Nature Conservation Act. Antrodia crassa is a rare, endangered fungi that cannot survive in heavily logged areas. It grew in a forest area in Kessi, which was logged by Metsahallitus in early October. The other fungi species under strict protection (Skeletocutis jelicii) is located in a planned logging site, where current logging is only 20 metres away. Another habitat of this species was being logged in late August.