The moratorium applies to all permits of cutting and import of the Pterocarpus erinaceus tree in the Togolese territory, as well as the exploitation and re-exportation from Togo, said a release issued after a meeting of the ministerial council on Wednesday.
“Figures reveal that false teak represents 85 percent of thousands of timbers seized by forestry office,” the report said.
According to Togolese government, national economic operators, in collusion with some Asian companies, use their formally attributed import permit of forest products to exploit illegally and excessively this forest species in Togo.
The offenders “transport nightly by means of tractors false teak to the borders of neighboring countries as if they were from Togo,” the release said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh
