How Valentine's Day is contributing to the rainforest's decline

High street shops are selling cards made with illegally and unsustainably sourced wood from tropical rainforests, according to a new report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

However, thanks to a loophole in EU law - which bans the import of illegally-logged wood - greetings cards, books and musical instruments fall outside the relevant timber regulations.

WWF UK found two items - bought at Card Factory and Clintons - that contained varying amounts of mixed tropical hardwood (MTH), suggesting the fibres originated from natural growth tropical rainforests after testing 20 greetings cards and envelopes from a range of high street retailers.

These results suggest the true cost of our Valentine’s card could be far greater than the price on the wrapping. They may be contributing to the further loss of some of the most valuable forests in the world.

• Beatrix Richards, WWF

Responding to the allegations, Card Factory said: “While the EU Timber Regulation doesn’t currently apply to greetings cards, Card Factory operates as though it does. The card in question was made by a third-party supplier. It was produced in 2012, before EU Timber Regulation came into force and before we introduced further controls over our sourcing from third-party suppliers.”

Clintons said: “We require all of our suppliers to comply with applicable law, including the EU Timber Regulation. This report has raised concerns which we are addressing with our supplier. The cards have been withdrawn. We will continue to strive to ensure the ethical sourcing of our timber products.”

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