Liberian government secretly gives loggers US$13 million tax break

Global Witness and Tropenbos International condemn new law that rewards logging companies at the expense of Liberia’s people and call on Liberia’s donors to halt their support until it is overturned.

The Liberian government has secretly given the country’s loggers a US$13 million tax break, subsidising companies at the expense of the country and forest communities. International NGOs Global Witness and Tropenbos International say the move has undone 15 years of reform.

Signed by Liberia’s President – and lauded economist – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the law knocks a massive hole through Liberia’s budget. It also undermines the country’s efforts to mitigate climate change through preserving its forests and managing them for the benefit of its people.

David Young, Campaign Leader at Global Witness said: “This is a disastrous move, which puts back efforts to halt climate change, whilst also massively short-changing the Liberian people. With such economically-irrational decisions being made on the future of Liberia’s forests, it is only right that partners providing budget support to Liberia and aid to its forest sector should now suspend that support until the law is overturned.”

Source: Global Witness