Pressure group challenges paper giant

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The conservation group ForestAlert has urged companies and individuals to protest to Japan's Nippon Paper Group about its sourcing of wood chip from the Tasmania primary forests, where the world's tallest trees are found.

ForestAlert claims Tasmania's forests are being destroyed and wants Nippon Paper to phase out its purchasing of products derived from any areas that should be conserved. It is asking for a boycott of the company's goods until this commitment is given.

The campaign follows Nippon Paper's public consultation on its wood chip sourcing policies. Nippon Paper, which says it has been trying to promote overseas afforestation, started a CSR promotion system in 2003 to support its social responsibilities in its business management, and set up a raw materials subcommittee last year to ensure that its supplies came from sustainable sources. The subcommittee runs seminars on responsible materials procurement and analyses procurement policies.

Another Japanese company, Mitsubishi Paper Mills, has recently decided to purchase wood chip only from plantation or regrowth sources.