Remember when we told you about Lumber Liquidators’ connection with illegal logging in Russia? The clearing of critical forests in the Russian Far East, the last habitat of the endangered Siberian tiger, is an unacceptable price to pay for cheap hardwood flooring. Our allies at the Environmental Investigation Agency released an in-depth report, which showed exactly how this crucial ecosystem ended up in Lumber Liquidators’ supply chains, and ultimately, into the homes of families here in the U.S.
Today, the Environmental Investigation Agency released a new video on illegal logging which highlights the importance of the Lacey Act, the US law that prohibits the import and sale of illegal goods (including forest products).
This illegal timber trade, which comprises 30% of logging worldwide and is worth 1 billion dollars per year, threatens forests, forest-dependent peoples, the climate and biodiversity, not just in Russia or Indonesia, but globally. It is one of the critical reasons we need the Lacey Act, and why the law should be enforced and fully funded.
Just three weeks ago, the company was targeted for importing illegal timber from Brazilian rainforests. It is necessary for companies like Lumber Liquidators to do their homework and dig into their supply chains not only to avoid illegally harvested timber and wood products but to go above and beyond the law and ensure that the forest products they sell are not linked to deforestation or human rights violations.
Adopting such measures is not only feasible, but makes good business sense. As our publishers report detailed with paper, there are some best practices that companies can use to eliminate illegal and controversial sources from their supply chains like including environmental and social performance obligations in their contracts, requiring declarations, using wood and fiber testing and requiring third party verification like FSC certification.
Taking simple steps to police their own supply chains shouldn’t be too much to ask for companies like Lumber Liquidators – in fact, because of the Lacey Act, it’s the law!
This is a common sense step. Join us and tell Lumber Liquidators follow the law and comply with the Lacey Act. and to further by ensuring none of the products they offer are linked to deforestation or human rights violations. We’d also really appreciate it if you could share the video with your friends — we have to spread the word about how irresponsible sourcing of wood and paper products is threatening global forests. Help us make an impact!