• What is Pro Tropenholz? Pro Tropenholz is an association of long-established timber importers and distributors with similar concerns..

    What is Pro Tropenholz?

    Pro Tropenholz is an association of long-established timber importers and distributors with similar concerns..

  • Trade in Tropical Timber A legitimate international timber trade does not lead to the destruction of the vital tropical forests.

    Trade in Tropical Timber

    A legitimate international timber trade does not lead to the destruction of the vital tropical forests.

  • Boycotting Tropical Timber A boycott does not address the issue of saving the forests.

    Boycotting Tropical Timber

    A boycott does not address the issue of saving the forests.

  • Preservation of Tropical Timber The economic use of this precious resource enables the protection of the entire eco-system.

    Preservation of Tropical Timber

    The economic use of this precious resource enables the protection of the entire eco-system.

  • Sustainable Use of Tropical Timber Sustainable use and a sensible afforestation also benefit the people living in or near them.

    Sustainable Use of Tropical Timber

    Sustainable use and a sensible afforestation also benefit the people living in or near them.

Menü

What would be the Consequences of a Boycott of Tropical Timber?

If the market for the already negligible amount of exported timber is deprived of its supply the raw material will have lost its value for the local population. The vital argument in favour of sustainable forestry (maintaining the value inherent in these areas) would become indefensible and a different utilisation would most probably evolve.

A boycott does not save any forests. The protection and sustainable management of the forests is only justifiable if value is attached to their content. Maintaining the tropical forests can be safeguarded only by sustainable utilisation and by involving its inhabitants. Even leading ecological groups are gradually backing off from the idea of a boycott and, instead, favour supporting the trade in tropical timber from sustainable resources. They no longer condone a general boycott of tropical timber as the preservation of endangered forests cannot be ensured in this way. Environmental associations favour an economic and socially compatible utilisation of the forests –  the only way in which tropical forests can be protected long-term and the local population can be supported.