FSC files complaint with certification body SGS Qualifor after Oxfam alleges eviction of at least 22,000 people to make way for New Forests Company's Uganda plantations
Wendy Lisney
BONN, Germany
,
October 24, 2011
(press release)
–
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has recently been made aware of a new Oxfam report which raises serious concerns about land ownership and use rights in FSC certified operations in Uganda. FSC takes the findings of the Oxfam report very seriously and is committed to ensuring that Principle 2 requiring demonstrated land tenure and use rights, as well as all other relevant principles and criteria, are upheld.
FSC has filed an official complaint with SGS Qualifor in order to ensure that any allegations about contradictions with FSC's Principles and Criteria are investigated with the utmost rigor.
FSC is committed to ensuring that its Principles and Criteria are upheld and will be engaging with all stakeholders, including Oxfam, throughout the investigation process. All findings relating to the complaint will be publicly available on the FSC website.
A copy of FSC’s statement is available online at:
http://www.fsc.org/fileadmin/web-data/public/document_center/Stakeholder_updates/Oxfam_Study/FSC-STA-2011-10-Oxfam_Study_Uganda-EN.pdf
A copy Oxfam's statment is avaialable at:
http://www.fsc.org/fileadmin/web-data/public/document_center/News/Oxfam_Statement_-_FINAL.pdf
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