These countries import two thirds of the worlds timber, paper, pulp and wooden furniture, but 13% of those goods are sourced or traded illegally.

And 18% of this trade is to fulfil government procurement demands, says The Timber Footprint of the G8 and China.

The WWF has recommended that public procurement policy should centre around sourcing wood-based products from independently verified legal forests. It said that a single policy for each G8 country across all government departments would ensure that suppliers dont receive "mixed signals about the environmental and social standards required to secure a government contract".

But it said none of the G8 governments or China currently used effective policies. The WWF estimates that 4% of the UKs 24m m3 of imported paper came from illegal sources. Although the Minister for the Environment announced a procurement policy in July 2000, it has not yet been effectively implemented, it added.

The WWF said that without responsible policies, the G8 and China were "supporting the business activities of those involved in the trade of illegal timber or wood products."

Governments must also address procurement on their behalf by private contractors. The WWF said that the eradication of illegal logging would be "a complex process requiring long-term support from the G8".

It recommended the adoption of voluntary bilateral trade agreements, the provision of aid and technical assistance to wood-producing countries, and the promotion of independent monitoring schemes like the Forest Stewardship Council.

The import of illegal timber and products should also be made illegal, it said.

Story by Gordon Carson