Indonesia backs off timber rule change after deforestation fears

Indonesia has rowed back on plans to weaken rules for the timber products it exports, as green groups warned the proposed move would have undermined international efforts to combat illegal logging and deforestation. Rule changes put forward by Indonesia's trade ministry earlier this year would have ended inspections of timber goods for export. - AFP

DENPASAR (Indonesia): Indonesia has rowed back on plans to weaken rules for the timber products it exports, as green groups warned the proposed move would have undermined international efforts to combat illegal logging and deforestation.

Rule changes put forward by Indonesia's trade ministry earlier this year would have ended inspections of timber goods for export - to ensure the wood was obtained legally and not linked to deforestation - from late May.