CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION NATIONAL POLICY ON TROPICAL RAINFORESTS ENDORSED BY THE NATIONAL DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE TROPICAL RAINFOREST POLICY This document sets the Policy of the CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION on Tropical Rainforests for the information of Members and Officials. Included with the Policy is an introduction, which provides a background for the reading and application of the Policy. This Policy is binding on all CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION Members and Officials. Any queries about the Policy should be directed to either the Branch or National Divisional Office. 1. INTRODUCTION The tropical rainforest has developed over millions of years into the richest ecosystem of flora and fauna in the world. It is a vital reserve of hydrogen and carbon for the earth, and provides a habitat for more than 50% of all species of plants and animals. At one time the rainforest along the equator covered an area of 16 million square kilometres. Apart from a few exceptions, Tropical rainforests are situated in developing regions. The economic and social conditions in these countries (including underdevelopment, mass poverty, excessive debt, dependence on the world market, large scale land-holdings) has resulted in the destruction of almost 50% of the worlds rainforest. The devastation of rainforests in developing countries is as a rule, a direct or indirect consequence of poverty. Rainforests have been destroyed by uncontrolled slash and burn agriculture, by uncontrolled felling of useful timber, by large scale agricultural and forestry projects, by extraction and exploitation of mineral deposits, by major hydro-electricity projects and by the collection of firewood. The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION is committed to the implementation of decisions of the International Federation of Building and Woodworkers (IFBWW) concerning tropical rainforest. In particular the CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION calls upon the A.C.T.U. and the Federal Government to promote the decisions of the I.F.B.W.W. on tropical rainforest in the development of Codes of Practice to protect forests. 2. RESPONSIBILITY OF INDUSTRY The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION seeks action by Government and International Agencies to ensure those national and multinational enterprises trading in the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry: - only purchase tropical timber from areas where sustainable forestry management can and has been established; pay a levy on tropical timbers and the levy to be used for environmental protection, the establishment and maintenance of nature reserves in tropical rainforests and for training workers in sustainable management practices; implement programs to increase the utilisation and value of tropical timber in order to effect permanent improvement in the yield of forests not set aside as reserves; implement research programs for the purpose of rainforest rehabilitation; adhere to the principles of the International Labour Organisation in respect of trade union rights; 3. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION demands that the industrialised countries, international organisations, the International Tropical Timber Organisation and the Worldbank: - maintain controls to ensure that imported tropical timbers come only from countries with a sustainable forest industry; subsidise the costs of designating, maintaining, and protecting extensive nature reserves in tropical areas; remit a proportion of the debt of countries that develop sustainable rainforest management; increase development aid to countries that implement sustainable forest management; continue to promote local enterprises and co-operatives to manufacture value-added forest products; establish and encourage institutions to provide training to workers and managers in the forest products industry; Encourage manufacturing by the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry to satisfy basic needs in the tropical forest countries of Africa, South America, and SouthEast Asia. Support all sources of energy that can help to diminish the use of firewood in tropical forest countries. 4. INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER ORGANISATION The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION demands that the ITTO: - · continue investigation into the resources of the tropical rain forests; and · Maintain inventory of the flora and fauna of the rainforest. 5. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION demands that the ILO: encourage the ratification and application of ILO Convention No 87 (Freedom of Association) promote occupational and skill development training; promote Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare enhance the mutual exchange of information on Forest and Forest Product issues between affiliates. 6. ROLE OF THE CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION undertakes to: - maintain participation in national and international forums concerning sustainable rainforest management; continue educating members on issues concerning sustainable rainforest management; continue promoting contact with unions covering workers employed in industries directly and indirectly associated with tropical rainforest management; continue promoting trade union rights for workers employed in industries directly and indirectly associated with tropical rainforest management; Carry through endorsed bans on imported Forest and Forest products where it is identified that such products were obtained through irresponsible or illicit forest practices or from forests which are not managed on an achievable sustainable basis. Carry through endorsed bans on imported timber and timber products where it is identified that such products were obtained from areas where forestry workers are exploited in terms of wages and conditions.