Green group claims double standard on Wal-Mart wood

Investigation accuses retail giant of "no questions asked" approach to sourcing some timber products

An environmental charity has accused Wal-Mart of sourcing products using illegally logged wood, in spite of statements by the retailer vowing to adopt a sustainable approach to forestry.

The Washington, DC-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released a report claiming that Wal-Mart sources products from Chinese suppliers using wood from sensitive environmental areas in the Russian far east.

The wood, often logged from habitats designed to support tigers, is logged illegally. Wood suppliers often log the trees using bribes to both the Russian mafia and border police, the report claims. Suppliers reportedly told the EIA that Wal-Mart focused on price and took a 'no questions asked' approach with regard to the wood's origin.

The report comes just a month after the release of the retailer's 2007 sustainability progress report, in which it directly addressed its wood supply chain.

"When we discover sustainable factory issues, we are committed to seeking alternatives, or even removing products from shelves," it said.

Alexander von Bismarck, executive director at the EIA, said that Wal-Mart's influence in the region is important, and its actions would be watched by others with responsibility for sourcing wood.

"The objectives regarding wood sourcing have been discussed for more than two years that we're aware of at the highest levels in Walmart, and to find no hint of impact in the case studies that we visited is shocking," he said.

"It's not a question of bashing anyone who puts their head over the CSR parapet. Rather, it's about pointing out areas where there doesn't seem to be any reason why things can't be done better."