To gather evidence The Independent and Greenpeace visited four stands at the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday morning fitted with secret tape-recording equipment. Evidence about the availability of wood not proven to be environmentally or socially responsible comes amid rising concern over the fate of the world's great forests, which are under ever increasing threat. Exhibitors routinely get round RHS rules on sustainable timber by submitting documents for a "sample" of their products, while ensuring the main supply comes from cheaper sources, according to one garden furniture supplier who sells only legitimate timber. One salesman claimed the teak tables on show at his stand were FSC-certified from Thailand, even though the FSC does not certify any teak from Thailand. But several traders are exploiting the high profile of the Chelsea Flower Show to promote Burmese teak - even though the main certification body in the UK, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), refuses to certify the country's timber.
To the outrage of environmental groups, the Burmese military junta allows widespread logging of endangered rainforest. The organiser of the show, the Royal Horticultural Society, backs the certification of timber to ensure garden tables and chairs on sale there are environmentally friendly and meet standards on child labour and human rights. One trader said a teak table tucked at the back of his stand - behind more regular timber - had come from Burma because of "corruption". Secret tape-recordings made during an undercover investigation by Greenpeace and The Independent found sales staff taking orders for teak garden furniture logged in Burma, whose brutal military regime is condemned globally. It would seem we have tapped into a well of concern that's out there for bumblebees.". Exhibitors at Britain's biggest garden show, the Chelsea Flower Show, are selling hardwood from the unprotected rainforests of Asia, a trade that has been condemned by one of the country's leading environmental bodies.
"We've had a constant flux of e-mails, loads of inquiries, in fact one every few minutes," said the BBCT's director, Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Stirling, who is Britain's leading academic bumblebee expert "It's all very hectic. The newly formed Bumblebee Conservation Trust, which this newspaper is backing, was flooded with inquiries from people wanting to join, and do whatever they could to help a vital group of species, which are now increasingly in trouble. The ceremony and reception will be in a country house in Devon and the couple hope to use local wine and seasonal produce. Locally grown daisies and ivy picked from the venue's garden will be used as table decorations rather than hothouse flowers. The wedding list is from Oxfam and guests will arrive by train. Pippa said: "I like the idea of being given a goat as a wedding present that can benefit someone somewhere else.'' They scrapped their idea of a holiday in Sri Lanka because of the carbon emissions and will go to the Scilly Isles instead.. Britain is a nation of bumblebee lovers, it rapidly became clear yesterday after The Independent highlighted the insects' plight.
They really annoy me because they don't have anything alternative or green - we have had to do most of the work ourselves.'' The bride's dress is being made from two vintage gowns by a company that specialises in eco-friendly designs, as is the bridegroom's outfit and the maid of honour's dress. Pippa Gueterboch and Henry Muss: 'I want a goat as a wedding gift' Pippa, an urban designer, and Henry, an energy consultant, will be married on 5 August. They want to use local wine and seasonal produce and keep carbon emissions down as much as possible. Pippa said: "We have tried to stay as far away as possible from the wedding industry and everything in the wedding magazines.
* Buy organic wine, English if possible, and avoid screw caps * Give each guest some seeds to plant at home. * Honeymoon in Britain or book an eco-holiday, like working on panda conservation in China or at a Sri Lankan orphanage * Use seasonal flowers from local growers or potted plants. * Don't exchange gold rings, buy antiques or rings with synthetic diamonds. * Buy a vintage gown, rather than (non-biodegradable) polyester or (cruel) silk * Use local caterers, organic products and seasonal vegetables * Save on paper by e-mailing guests with the details * Sign up to Oxfam's wedding list. Guests can buy trees, books, goats and water supplies for Africa. How to have an eco-wedding * Keep the wedding and reception close together and lay on transport.