US, Peru Agree to Step Up Efforts to Fight Illegal Logging

Ken Schwartz

VOA NEWS

WASHINGTON — The United States and Peru have agreed to step up efforts to fight illegal logging and bolster environmental protection in the South American country.

U.S. trade officials held their first talks last week with officials from the government of Peru’s new president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said Tuesday he is encouraged by the concrete actions Peru has announced to make sure its timber exports are harvested legally, but said “significant challenges” are ahead.

“For the sake of our forests, our global environment, and our shared future, we will continue to closely monitor the situation in Peru and work closely with them to advance environmental progress,” Froman said.

Peruvian authorities also say other environmental priorities include protecting biological diversity and creating and expanding protected marine areas.

President Barack Obama visits Peru this week as part of his final scheduled official foreign trip.