9 May 2011

Solomons Forestry Minister believes illegal logging still big problem

8:39 am on 9 May 2011

The Solomon Islands Forestry Minister, Bradley Tovosia, says that illegal logging remains a big concern in the country.

Mr Tovosia has only been Minister for three months and admits that it will take time before he gets his head around the many issues at play behind the problem of illegal logging in Solomon Islands.

He says the lack of understanding among landowner groups about the Forestry Acts and the Country's code of logging practice are fuelling the problem.

"There are complaints from the landowners which sometimes they create problems themselves, between the landowners who think they own the land and what's on the land, and then with the companies. Sometimes people say one thing and do the other thing. That's exactly what's happened to this country especially people who deal with loggers."

However Bradley Tovosia has disputed claims by environmentalists that the country's logging industry is on the brink of collapse, saying a reforestation programme should serve Solomon Islands well.