The prospect of timber companies having to consider political as well as environmental issues when importing wood is becoming a reality following a new offensive by a pressure group against traders who buy teak from Burma. But the companies targeted by the Burma Campaign UK group have responded to its criticism.

Burma Campaign highlights human rights abuses in the country and claims companies that buy timber from Burma help to finance the military dictatorship.

It has named Timbmet Group Ltd and AW Champion Ltd on what it calls its ‘dirty list’ of companies with links to Burma and is also lobbying the EU and UN for a ban on timber exports from the country.

Burma Campaign UK spokesperson Mark Farmaner said timber was a major source of income for Burma’s regime, as it owned all teak plantantions.

Timbmet said its subsidiary C Leary had a 70-year trading relationship with Burma and employed five people in the country.

&#8220We have already decided not to make further investments in Burma and we will continue to have discussions with the Burma Campaign and other interested parties to find the best way forward”

Simon Fineman, chief executive, Timbmet Group Ltd

Timbmet Group Ltd chief executive Simon Fineman said: “We have already decided not to make further investments in Burma and we will continue to have discussions with the Burma Campaign and other interested parties to find the best way forward. We fully understand the concerns about the politcal situation in Burma and we are able to offer our customers a range of alternative species.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Forsyth, director of purchasing at AW Champion, said: “From our point of view it comes as a total surprise. It’s not true, in that we do not import teak.

“Environmental issues are fairly straightforward in that they’re about sustaining the environment. But with political issues where do you draw the line? It’s a different ball game.”

He said if customers wanted teak the company could source it from a recognised UK importer.