Lao gov't vows to further clamp down illegal logging

Lao government has announced that stronger enforcement of the Prime Ministerial Order must be carried out without compromise to further clamp down on illegal logging in Laos.

This is among the outcomes of the two-day meeting held in capital Vientiane between the government cabinet and provincial governors, local state-run online newspaper Vientiane Times reported on Sunday.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and Government Spokesman Chaleun Yiapaoher, when addressing a press conference after the meeting concluded on Friday, said the meeting agreed that all types of unfinished or unprocessed timbers were banned from export, no matter where the logs originated from and regardless if they were from tree plantations.

The government was aware the PM's Order is directly impacting on the business sector particularly those timber and wood exporting companies. However, the government called for all entrepreneurs to put the national interest above their own benefit which would eventually reforest the nation.

"Hopefully the business sector will enhance their patriotism and love their nation more than anything else by conserving the country's forests which serve as a fundamental factor for economic development and livelihood improvement of local people," Chaleun said.

The government spokesman said those violating the PM's Order or Forestry Law including government officials would be penalized with no exception, according to the report on Sunday.

The government also called on local villagers to report any cases of illegal logging so authorities could address the issues promptly.

Previously, the government granted an annual timber quota of 200,000 cubic meters for cutting, but this will no longer be approved to address loopholes for illegal logging. Endit