Environment Minister Alex Attwood has commended Ikea's contribution to World Environment Day.

The Minister recognised Ikea's contribution to sustaining and developing forests when producing their furniture worldwide.

The United Nations chose "Forests: Nature at your Service" as the theme for the 2011 Environment Day on 5 June.

Alex Attwood said: "I commend IKEA for highlighting and demonstrating that the commercial use of timber can and should be undertaken sustainably. We need to preserve our forests and woodlands. The value of timber production itself is worth over £7million to the Northern Ireland economy per annum.

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"Forests and woodlands also provide a wide range of ecological services and public benefits that are often not fully recognised. As well as producing timber, they provide renewable energy sources, carbon storage and recycling and locations for sporting activities and leisure. Many of our most visited recreational sites are woodlands while much of our native biodiversity is dependent on woodlands. "

(GK)