Around 10 million ha of Russian forests could have gained Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification by 2005 according to WWF.
It said commitments to seek FSC certification in 2004 have been made by Cherepvetsles, one of Russia’s biggest logging companies, and the Austrian paper company Neusiedler, which has committed to seek FSC certification for 1.16 million ha of forest in the Russian Republic Komi. It aims to source 35% of the timber for its daughter company Syktyvkar from FSC certified forests by 2005.
Certification is also progressing in Siberia where Russia’s biggest sawmill, Novoeniseysky LPH, is currently being audited to achieve FSC certification for part of its logging operations.
WWF is also working with companies to map and protect pristine forests in areas they lease.
