Most timber exported from Ghana at risk of being illegal, Global Witness
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Environmental watchdog group Global Witness says new documents on logging permits in Ghana indicate most timber exported from the country "carries a high risk of being illegal," exposing purchasers to possible jail time under a new European Union regulation.
The permit lists obtained in February and published Tuesday cover more than 15,000 square kilometers, or nearly 15 percent of the country's land mass. A review by Global Witness revealed that permits for more than 12,000 square kilometers were not covered by the country's 1998 Timber Resources Management Act.
A new EU regulation that went into effect in March holds importers responsible for ensuring timber has been legally sourced. Violators face jail time of up to two years.
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Officials at Ghana's Forestry Commission were not available to comment Tuesday.