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Deforestation is the inevitable and devastating consequence of our current unsustainable use of the world's forests. Amongst the negative social and environmental impacts of deforestation are:

• Exclusion of forest peoples from their traditional territories and ways of life
• Loss of biodiversity and habitats
• Conflicts over land rights
• Increased soil erosion and loss of air and water quality
• Potential acceleration of climate change

In virtually all of the world's forests there are conflicts between local peoples and companies, or local peoples and governments. In many cases, in both North and South, forest loss is accompanied by human rights abuses. This is why FERN's campaign includes supporting the rights of forest peoples.

Land rights are often at the heart of conflicts over forests. Customary land rights for local peoples in forested areas have often not been legally recognised, and this leads to discord when timber companies start to log these forests. After logging, local peoples may experience loss of access to important medicines, foods and materials previously supplied by a local forest. These peoples are forced to either relocate or to give up their traditional ways of life and livelihoods. If they protest about their plight they may face intimidation or even aggression from vested corporate or political interests.

Forests and the EU is a short article that provides a brief overview of FERN's concerns and interests.