Indonesia To Increase Logging Quotas 30% In 2006

[hatrack]

JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesia will increase its logging quotas by 30 percent in 2006 in a move aimed at boosting the forestry industry while reducing illegal logging, forestry ministry officials said.

"The logging allocations for the entire year of 2006 will be raised to some 11 million cubic meters, or up about 30 percent from this year," foreign ministry spokesman, Masyud, told AFP. He said that the quota for timber from natural forests will be set at 8.13 million cubic meters and the rest will come from industrial timber estates.

"The move is aimed at assisting forestry-based industries," Masyud said, without elaborating.

EDIT

Kaban said that the higher quotas would be accompanied by a new regulatory package aimed at sustaining natural forests and making the industry more efficient.

EDIT

http://au.biz.yahoo.com/051213/33/f660.html

Thank God - only 74% of the planned cut will come from existing natural forests! For a moment there, I was really worried! :puke: