WWF Press Release - Tesco membership of responsible timber group terminated

WWF Press Release - Tesco membership of responsible timber group terminated

Tesco's membership of the WWF 95+ Group has been terminated said WWF - the global environment network today.

The Group, which works with business to promote responsible management of the world's forests, has ended its partnership with the supermarket because of a continuing lack of commitment to its aims. This has been demonstrated by Tesco's selling of garden furniture made from illegally logged Indonesian hardwood.

"Tesco's actions have shown that it clearly does not take the issue of buying wood products from legal and responsibly managed sources seriously," said Rachel Hembery, Manager of the WWF 95+ Group. "The 95+ Group has endeavoured to work with Tesco to help overcome the problems it faces when buying wood products, but the supermarket's uncooperative behaviour leaves WWF no choice but to terminate its membership."

WWF is disappointed that it has been forced to take this action which was taken only after numerous attempts to get satisfactory responses from Tesco. If Tesco is able to make the kind of serious commitment expected of 95+ Group members in the future then WWF would be happy to re-open discussions with the supermarket.

"The 95+ Group is not a hiding place for companies that are not seriously committed to phasing out timber from illegal and irresponsibly managed sources," said Hembery.

The WWF 95+ Group is currently asking all members to re-commit to phasing out illegal timber and to implement an action plan that shows how this will be done. Members also commit to increase the amount of timber and wood products traded that come from credibly certified sources.

Sue Windebank, WWF