Dear friends across Bulgaria,

This week, the parliament passed a bill that will allow private companies to strip Bulgaria's forests with impunity. But the President can veto this disastrous law. Thousands are already protesting and if we stand together now, we can axe the Forest Act changes:

This week, the parliament passed a bill that will allow private companies to strip Bulgaria's precious forests with impunity. Thousands are already protesting and if we stand together, we can get the President to save Bulgaria’s protected lands.

The new Forest Act gives companies the right to build on forest land without government control and without paying anything. The Act may have passed Parliament but the President still has the power to veto this legislation and stop the Act.

Thousands are already on the streets, and with our support we can stop this before a single tree falls -- sign the petition to President Rossen Plevneliev to axe the Forest Act amendments and save our magnificent forests:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/axe_the_forest_act/?bGQElcb&v=15252

The amendments to the Forest Act mean private companies would have free rein to develop state-owned land -- they will be able to cut down forests without state approval, develop on land without requiring change-of-use permits, and even build on another party’s property without seeking the owner’s consent. Protests have already forced the government to backpedal on some provisions -- a final push can kill the amendments for good.

20% of Bulgaria is state forests and protected areas, and they are the last significant public resource that has not passed into private hands. Losing them, opposition MPs say, will cost the state millions in lost fees and revenue if the changes go ahead.

The Forest Act will be the beginning of the end for Bulgaria's woodlands. But if we act now, we can demand that President Plevneliev axe the Forest Act and stop this outrage before our forests disappear. Sign and share the petition now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/axe_the_forest_act/?bGQElcb&v=15252

The Avaaz community is growing fast around the world, and we're winning bigger victories every day. Just this week, the Australian government announced the creation of the world's biggest marine reserve after receiving over half a million messages of support from Avaaz members. Now, let's come together to save Bulgaria's forests.

With hope and determination,

Alex, Michelle, Ian, Paul, Oli, Emily and the whole Avaaz team

PS: This petition was created by Maria, an Avaaz member. You can start your own campaign in 5 minutes here: http://avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?bv15252


MORE INFORMATION

Bulgaria Controversial Forestry Act Fuels Mass Protests (Novinite)
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=140279

WWF slams Bulgaria's controversial forest act changes (AFP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hccWJJWHribSL1K0MBnke_hyakLQ?docId=CNG.18e43fbe61579560971f8e0c11806c69.1c1

What is Wrong with Bulgaria's Forest Act - Facts & Figures (Novinite)
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=140293