G8 leaders to take on logging

DERBY, England, March 19 (UPI) -- Environment and development leaders from G8 countries said at a Britain meeting they will take on illegal logging, the BBC reported.

The leaders also said in a statement of intent to mark the end of the meeting that action needs to be taken to protect Africa from the consequences of climate change. The goals will be considered at the G8 summit in July, the BBC said.

"What was most noticeable was the degree to which everyone was singing from the same hymn-sheet," said Britain's Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett.

However, other delegates have said the United States delegation was determined to block any mention of linkages between climate change and issues such as trade and agricultural subsidies.