501 Critical Reading Questions

This passage is adapted from an article authored by the environmental
protection organization Greenpeace, regarding Finland’s destruction of old-
growth forests.
Time is running out for the old-growth forests of Finland. The vast
majority of Finland’s valuable old-growth forest is owned by the state
and logged by the state-owned company Metsähallitus. Metsähallitus’
logging practices include clearcutting, logging in habitats of threat-
ened and vulnerable species, and logging in areas of special scenic or
cultural  value—including  in  areas  that  are  critical  for  the  reindeer
herding of the indigenous Sami people.
Despite being involved in a “dialogue process” with two environ-
mental organizations (World Wildlife Fund and the Finnish Associa-
tion for Nature Conservation), to try and reach agreement regarding
additional protection for old-growth forests, Metsähallitus is now log-
ging sites that should be subject to negotiation.
In June 2003, Greenpeace and the Finnish Association for Nature
Conservation  (FANC)  presented  comprehensive  maps  of  the  old-
growth areas that should be subject to moratorium, pending discus-
sion and additional protection, to all those involved in the dialogue
process. Metsähallitus then announced a halt to new logging opera-
7
Science and Nature
1 8 1
(1)
(5)
(10)
(15)

---

tions in these mapped areas. Sadly, the halt in logging was short lived.
In August and September logging took place in at least six old-growth
forest areas in Northern Finland.
It seems Metsähallitus wants to have its cake and eat it too—friendly
talks with environmental groups at the same time they keep logging
critical habitat. To be blunt, their commitment to the dialog process
has proven untrustworthy. The new logging has been without con-
sensus from the dialog process or proper consultation with the Sami
reindeer herders. Now there’s a risk the logging will expand to include
other old-growth areas.
Greenpeace investigations have revealed a number of companies
buying old-growth timber from Metsähallitus, but the great majority
goes to Finland’s three international paper manufacturers, Stora Enso,
UPM-Kymmene, and M-Real. Greenpeace recommends that com-
panies  ask  for  written  guarantees  that  no  material  from  any  of  the
recently mapped old-growth areas is entering or will enter their sup-
ply chain, pending the switch to only timber that has been independ-
ently certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council in
order to stop this risk to protected forests.
343.
According to the passage, which is NOT a logging practice
engaged in by Metsähallitus?