Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 5 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 October 2004. It was answered by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what action he is taking to try to prevent the loss of forest cover in Africa. - Inc figures.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to try to prevent the loss of forest cover in Africa. [190386] Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID supports developing countries in Africa to make forest resources contribute more effectively to poverty reduction. DFID's work aims to improve the livelihoods of poor people and to maintain--and increase where possible--the national and global public goods provided by forests. DFID is helping to develop forest policy, implement reforms, and strengthen forest governance in Ghana, Cameroon, Malawi, Kenya and South Africa. DFID supports the Africa Forest Law Enforcement and Governance process to help raise awareness of the problems of illegal logging and the commitment to tackle them. In addition DFID invests about £29 million a year in the Global Environment Facility, a significant share of which is spent on forest conservation.

Secondary information