AAP: 24 August 2011

STATIONARY and equipment supply firm Officeworks has ceased doing business with paper supplier APRIL over claims it is illegally logging Indonesian forests.

Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL), which owns one of the world's largest paper mills, was accused of unsustainable clearing of Indonesian land in an episode of ABC's Foreign Correspondent earlier this month.

"Serious allegations were recently brought to our attention regarding the operations of one of our suppliers, APRIL," Officeworks managing director Mark Ward said in a statement on Wednesday.

"We have reached the decision to suspend all procurement of APRIL products with immediate effect."

The decision follows in the footsteps of Fuji Xerox Australia, which announced it was cutting ties with APRIL just two days after the claims were broadcast.

Officeworks said it took its environmental responsibility seriously and spoke with APRIL as well as environmental groups during its investigation of the claims.

Mr Ward said the company had advised APRIL of its decision.

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