Greenpeace applauds log tax reinstatement
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
Greenpeace wel
comed the reinstate ment of log export taxes to 1998 levels as announced in the Papua New guinea government’s mini-budget.
Forests specialist Brian Brunton says it’s a good move.
“We congratulate prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta and urge him not to listen to loggers who threaten the taxes will bring the industry to a halt,” Brunton said.
The Forest Industry Association claims the reinstatement of the taxes will mean loggers won’t be able to pay royalties to landowners.
Brunton rubbishes this claim, and asks Sir Mekere to now look at the role the FIA plays on the Forest Authority Board.
“As far as we are concerned, the FIA shouldn’t be sitting on that board at all,” he said.
Greenpeace and other environmental non-govemment organisations have been
vocal in their opposition of last year’s decision to reduce log taxes.
“The tax reductions allowed foreign logging companies to make windfall prof its”, said Brunton.
“It led to an increase in export log ging. Export logging is the main cause of forest loss in Papua New Guinea. It is in this environment that we urge the govern ment of Sir Mekere to consider our earlier calls for a moratorium on new logging concessions,” Brunton said. ■