GREENPEACE SHOWERS CANADIAN EMBASSY; ACTIVISTS USE WOOD CHIPS TO PROTEST CANADA’S LOGGING PRACTICES

22 March 2001

The Hague - Greenpeace activists today showered the garden of the Canadian Embassy in The Hague with wood chips protesting the ongoing destruction of Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. A shredding machine was used to shred the waste wood (which was waste wood from the pruning of trees) and spray them directly at the embassy to simulate a clearcut. This action is part of a series of actions world-wide to save the world’s last remaining ancient forests. At the end of February, Greenpeace also protested a shipment of Canadian wood in Vlissingen harbour, stopping the unloading of the shipment for 24hours.

Logging companies in British Columbia are currently considering placing a moratorium on logging in a list of critical rainforest areas to allow for the protection of the health of the Great Bear Rainforest. The Canadian Federal and Provincial Governments now have a unique opportunity to support this initiative by agreeing to protect critical rainforest areas, and offer transition programs and funding for economic diversification for local communities in the region.

"The Forest Practices Code in British Columbia is woefully inadequate as it fails to ensure logging is done in a responsible and ecologically sound manner," said Gavin Edwards, Forest Campaigner for Greenpeace Canada. "The government of Canada is failing to protect endangered species. Both levels of government have made false claims over the years about their commitment to protect forests and biodiversity. If Canada is serious about the protection of its forests it must support protection of Canada’s rainforest and help finance a new economy for B.C. immediately," added Edwards.

The Netherlands imports over 20,000 cubic meters a year of rainforest timber from British Columbia. Western red cedar and hemlock are the main timbers imported in Holland for use in the construction industry. Greenpeace is campaigning to ensure the Dutch government and construction companies switch to eco-certified FSC timber.

"The Canadian Government needs to know that if the health of Canada rainforest cannot be protected, then the Netherlands will be rejecting timber coming from Canada," said Greenpeace Netherlands forest campaigner Just van den Broek.

The Great Bear Rainforest is home to many threatened species. It is a unique habitat for black tailed deer, grey wolves, grizzly bears and a rare snow-white variation of the black bear called the Kermode or "Spirit Bear".

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Just van den Broek, Greenpeace Netherlands, +31 6 5362 3818
- Gavin Edwards, Greenpeace Canada (currently in The Hague), +31 629 001151
- Gina Sanchez, Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 6 2700 0064

www.greenpeace.org/~forests

Photos and Video available from Annette Cornelisse, +31 6 2503 1013