29 cases of illegal logging recorded in Vanua Levu

29 cases of illegal logging were recorded in Vanua Levu from January 2017 to January this year.

Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this in parliament today while speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minuster for Forestry, Voreqe Bainimarama.

Sayed-Khaiyum says Fiji is not immune to illegal logging.

He says to curb illegal logging, the Ministry of Forestry has formalised partnerships through agreements with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Fiji Bureau of Statistics, FNPF, Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and Fiji Police Force.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the Ministry is also working closely with the Ministry of Environment to ensure licenses for logging, saw milling or treatment plants are issued only after environmental impact assessments are carried out.

He adds the ministry is also strengthening its relations with the iTaukei Land Trust Board to clearly identify genuine landowners to ensure at least 60 percent of them have agreed to the harvesting of trees.