Activists seek fresh ban on Sierra Leone timber exports

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

FREETOWN (AFP) — The Environmental Forum for Action, one of the most influential activist groups in Sierra Leone, called Monday on the government to reimpose the ban on timber exports that was lifted in July.

"With less than five percent of forested areas left in the country, the decision by the minister of forestry (Sam Sesay) to lift the ban will be disastrous for the environment and will lead to severe scarcity of timber in the local market," it said in a statement to local news media.

It said the decision "threatens Sierra Leone's rich biodiversity of 3,000 plants, 74 of which are endemic, and several species of mammals, reptiles and birds which can never be replaced".

It went on to express "concern over developments in the logging industry," citing the...