Between 1990 and 1995, the average annual deforestation rate of APEC countries was .62 percent of forest cover, more than twice the world average of .3 percent. Until APEC member countries improve this record, it would be unwise for other governments to adopt APEC forest trade rules. Governments should instead work at the national level and jointly at the international level to identify and pursue policies that protect forests. Rushing Ahead With Worldwide Tariff Elimination in Forest Products Would Send a Disturbing Signal to Environmental Civil Society Organizations Many citizens and environmental organizations in WTO member countries have serious concerns that international trade rules and the WTO threaten environmental protection. Many governments have acknowledged these concerns and have expressed the desire to dialogue with civil society on the relationship between trade and the environment.
Forest protection is a core concern of environmentalists throughout the world.
Only By hastily signing an agreement that locks in liberalization of forest products trade, Governments would miss the chance to integrate trade rules into overall sustainable development policies that preserve healthy forest ecosystems and economies. Governments should only lower tariffs for forest products that have been certified to have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Governments should raise tariffs and consider additional controls on forest products that have not been certified in order to create incentives for environmentally protective forestry. Make cutting harmful subsidies a centerpiece of forest trade policy. Some governments have recently advocated cutting environmentally destructive subsidies in the fisheries sector.