‘Forest Sector Transparency, Information and Data Disclosure’ National Workshop -- Jakarta, Indonesia on 21-22 November 2005
The workshop focused on national transparency issues and provided an opportunity for participants to present, discuss and exchange information on disclosure policies; to develop transparent reporting on forest governance issues; and to improve accountability and transparency mechanisms.

Malaysia Steps up Efforts to Curb Illegal Logging
Under laws expected to be ready in early 2006, mandatory prison sentences between one year and 20 years will be handed out to anyone involved in illegal logging from Malaysian rain forests, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said. Illegal logging "can undermine the quality of our water and air, threaten water catchment areas and lead to other problems such as floods and droughts," Najib said, and fines have failed to stop the logging.  
From Environmental News Network/Associated Press

178 Foreign Sawmill 'Barons' Held for Illegal Logging in Indonesia
In Indonesia, over 170 foreign owners of illegal sawmills on Papua, Sumatra, and Borneo have been detained since the presidential decree against logging last year. Illegal logging (in Papua in particular) involves a wide array of participants, including Indonesian military and civilian officials, multinational companies, Malaysian logging gangs, brokers in Singapore, and dealers in Hong Kong.
From The Standard (China)

Nicaraguan Legislators Accused of Illegal Logging
Nicaragua's Special Prosecutor for Environmental Defense, Lisandro D'Leon, is investigating the sources of illegal logging in the country and has identified prominent lawmakers and businessmen, often employing local farmers, as culprits. The government exhibits little or no control over the lumber industry; for example, only one inspector, with no vehicle, is employed in the department of Nueva Segovia, where currently 500 permits have been approved. Under Nicaragua's environmental protection legislation, congressmen charged with violating the logging laws could be charged with a fine of $3,000 at most.
From Miami Herald

Forestry Agency Sets up Task Force on Illegal Logging
The G8 Summit to be held in the UK in July 2005 will have illegal logging on its agenda, and to prepare for this, Japan's Forestry Agency has established an ad hoc Task Force on Illegal Logging consisting of six full-time officials. On the domestic front, the Japanese government has also been developing technologies to monitor logging practices using satellite data, and has established a council for addressing illegal logging, with the participation of domestic wood-processing firms, non-governmental organizations and consumers' groups. Japan also plans to develop technology starting in FY 2005 to trace timber origins using a bar code and IC tags in order to combat illegal logging. This initiative is based on the Japan – Indonesia collaborative action plan.
From Japan for Sustainability

Brazilian Logging Enforcement Operation
Brazilian police have issued arrest warrants for 124 people following the discovery of a massive illegal logging operation in the Amazon rain forest. Over a period of 15 years, the gang is said to have illegally extracted wood worth $370m. This was the biggest police operation in the Amazon. It focused on the state of Mato Grosso, which last year accounted for nearly half of all deforestation.
From BBC News

WRI, Cameroon Agreement Cuts Down Illegal Logging
A landmark partnership formed in 2002 between the government of Cameroon and the World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch achieved its first major result with today’s release of a forest-mapping tool designed to help Cameroon reduce illegal logging and ensure better governance. See WRI's Global Forest Watch Web Site for more information.
From Global Forest Watch.

World's Biggest Timber Smuggling Racket Exposed between Indonesia and China
A new report released by Environmental Investigation Agency and Telapak, entitled "The Last Frontier," exposes the international criminal syndicates behind the massive looting of merbau trees from Indonesia's Papua Province. Merbau, a valuable hardwood used mainly for flooring, is being smuggled out of Papua at a rate of around 300,000 cubic metres of logs every month to feed China's timber processing industry. China's economic boom has led to it becoming the largest buyer of illegal timber in the world.
From EIA's News Page.

Proceedings from INECE-EIA Workshop on Illegal Timber Now Available
6 January 2005 - The Proceedings from the INECE-Environmental Investigation Agency workshop on illegal trade in logging products are now available. The workshop, which was held on 18-19 October 2004, brought together practitioners from Asia and other parts of the world for discussions that resulted in new opportunities for enforcement cooperation to limit trade in illegally produced timber.
From INECE News Room.