BBC Home Explore the BBC    Last Updated: Saturday March 19 2005
11:31 GMT  Timber crackdown to save forests  The world's richest
nations have pledged to crack down on people who illegally chop
down trees and destroy the environment.  The group - called G8 -
made the pledge after a two-day meeting in Derby. It's the
latest move in the fight against third world poverty.  The
chopping down of trees - called logging - is being done without
permission in some poor countries.  It has a devastating effect
on the local wildlife and ruins the forest.  The G8 countries -
including the US and Russia - have agreed to clamp down on
people who break the law and to fight corruption.   Countries
will be helped to catch offenders using the latest technology.
Countries which import timber will also be asked to take more
responsibility for where their supplies come from.  BBC Homepage
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