Minister Børge Brende
Postboks 8013 - Dep.
0030 Oslo
Norway
e-mail: postmottak@md.dep.no
Fax: + 47 22 24 60 34
Hamburg, 18.3.04
Coastal spruce-forest protection / Protection program for forests
Dear Mr. Brende,
the undersigning German environmental organisations are raising their concerns about the conservation of biological diversity and the natural heritage of Norway, where still not more than one percent of its productive forests is protected. It is with deep concern we are observing that one of the richest countries in the world is failing to protect its biodiversity.
Last year we had to find out, that loggings took place in the areas of the coastal spruce forest, which is also known as boreal rainforest, and which is a specific forest type that only exists in Norway.
During a field trip to these logging places on Oct. 1st, which was attended by representatives of German organisations and companies, it became obvious that forest authorities were not able to secure the biological values of this unique forest type. We therefore welcome to hear that You have started a protection process to secure these important nature-treasures.
We urge You to protect the remaining still not protected Norwegian boreal rainforest as nature reserves and to take adequate and immediate steps for restoring those areas, which were destroyed by loggings during the last years.
We will also ask You to increase the protection of the last remaining big wilderness forests that are left in Norway. There are few such areas left, and its about time that Norway increase its protection from to days extremely poor level at one percent.
Please let us know about Your activities in this matter.
Sincerely Yours on behalf of the undersigning organisations Dr. Rudolf Fenner forest department ROBIN WOOD
The undersigning German Environmental Organisations:
Pro Regenwald, Lászlo Máráz
Robin Wood, Dr. Rudolf Fenner
urgewald, Lydia Bartz
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Regenwald und Artenschutz (ARA), Wolfgang Kuhlmann
Stiftung Eine Welt - Eine Zukunft, Jürgen Wolters
Rettet den Regenwald, Reinhard Behrend
Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU), Christoph Heinrich
Stiftung Artenschutz, Christiane Adler
Regenwald-Institut e.V., Dr. Rainer Putz
Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), Dr. Helmut Klein
Gesellschaft für Ökologische Forschung, Sylvia Hamberger
WWF-Deutschland, Nina Grießhammer
Greenpeace Deutschland, Oliver Salge