Doc. 8106

4 May 1998

Deforestation of temperate rainforests and Canada’s responsibility

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Staes and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

The Assembly,

1. Considering that over 50% of temperate rainforests have already disappeared, whereas they should be classed as a world heritage;

2. Noting that the World Resources Institute of the United States has declared these forests to be the world's most seriously threatened ecosystems;

3.       Observing that a quarter of the forests concerned are located on the west coast of Canada in British Colombia;

4.       Noting that the Government of British Colombia has authorised a number of multinational companies to exploit the greater part of these forests and that they are worked for the purpose of producing paper handkerchiefs, telephone directories and toilet paper, moreover using wood from a thousand year old trees;

5.       Noting that this action will cause absolute destruction, in area term, of this natural heritage of world importance, which will have vanished completely by about 2010 at a rate of 2 hectares per minute.

6.       Noting that after resolute protest at international level in 1993 British Colombia changed its legislation with a directive on what its Government described as sustainable timber harvesting. A recent Greenpeace report nevertheless shows that wood production grew by another 2% following the entry into force of the new law.;

7.       Noting that Canada has no legislation on threatened flora and fauna;

8.       Observing that indigenous peoples such as the Nuxalk Indians are threatened in their distinctiveness and their cultural survival;

9.       Supporting the proposal by Canada's ecologist movement to protect the Great Bear Rainforest nature reserve in the interest of species including grizzly bear, black bear and spirit bear;

10.       Observing that the region's burgeoning ecotourism offers an alternative to employment in the forestry sector;

11.       Noting that the three largest companies, McMillan Bloedel, International Forest Products (Interfor)and Western Forest Products (Doman Ltd.) together run over half the operations exploiting British Colombia's rainforests, and that part of their export is destined for Europe;

12.       Noting that Western Forest Products announced roadbuilding early in 1998 to initiate the working of a large sector of the Great Bear Rain Forest;

13.       Noting that Canada has a reputation for environmental protection and that these operations liable to destroy every remnant of the unique natural features of these temperate rainforests could impair its international image;

14.       Considering that Canada has observer status with the Council of Europe,

      Concludes that :

i.       temperate rainforests are part of the world natural heritage and must receive protection for what now remains of them;

ii.       the wildlife species inhabiting these forests also deserve total protection;

iii.       the trading profit of these few companies for a maximum of 12 more years, or job loss - if any - cannot outweigh the irreplaceable ecological and cultural wealth of the entire world;

iv.       Canada has a duty to manage nature areas and wildlife on its territory in a manner ensuring their protection and conservation in respect the world heritage;

v.       the spirit of the Rio Conference and its Agenda 21 should call the earliest possible halt to every non-sustainable forestry operation in temperate rainforests;

Furthermore urges European companies to rescind any contract with producers using wood from non-sustainable timber industries.

Signed¹:

Staes, Belgium, EPP/CD

About, France, LDR

Bordas, France, EDG

Briane, France, EPP/CD

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

Jeambrun, France, LDR

Kollwelter, Luxembourg, SOC

Langthaler, Austria, NR

Lengagne, France, SOC

Maximus, Belgium, SOC

Rise, Norway, EPP/CD

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC

Squarcialupi, Italy, SOC

Taylor J., United Kingdom, EPP/CD

Theis, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

Valkeniers, Belgium, LDR

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      PPE/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      GDE: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group