August 2001

TTF Responds to Friends of the Earth
9 August 2001

The TTF have questioned the figures on the volumes of illegally imported tropical timber contained within a recently published Friends of the Earth report.

Mark O'Brien the TTFs Head of Public Affairs said, " FOE state that one million cubic metres or 60% of tropical timber imports are from illegal sources but according to the authoritative hardwoodmarkets.com this equates to the entire 1999 figure for tropical timber imports. If the FOE percentage were accurate this would make the figure nearer 600,000 cubic metres.

There are increasing opportunities to buy independently certified timber and many tropical producers are progressing towards developing national schemes. It is however likely to be some time before large areas of the tropics are certified. The suggestion therefore that the Government only buys independently certified timber may be well meaning but it is not a realistic prospect while 90% of the forests certified worldwide are located in temperate northern developed countries. If such a policy were to be implemented it would unfairly discriminate against tropical countries who operate in challenging economic, social and political conditions and discourage further progress.

In the absence of large volumes of certified tropical timber, it is important to maintain trading links with tropical countries to provide the necessary economic incentives to continue maintaining the forest and improving management practices. If such trade is not continued the forests will be converted to agriculture or the timber will be sold to less environmentally sensitive markets without improving forest management practices.

The TTF through its work with the International Tropical Timber Organisation and the UK Government's Department for International Development is contributing constructively to make efforts to address the subject of illegal logging and will continue to dialogue with NGOs over forestry issues as part of this process.

The TTF encourages responsible timber purchasing practices through the implementation of an Environmental Purchasing Policy, which provides a framework within which timber importers can work to obtain the necessary documentation to show that the timber imported comes from legal and well-managed sources."

For further information call Mark O'Brien on 020 7839 1891

TTF DETERMINED TO DRIVE UP STANDARDS

Commenting on the prosecution of James E Smith (Timber) Ltd (17 July 2001) for offences under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 the Timber Trade Federation is issuing a clear warning to all its members that failure to comply with the law can lead to a successful prosecution.

Paul Martin, the TTF's Director General said, " When timber is sold which fails to comply with the description applied to it the reputation of the entire industry suffers. This case sends a clear signal that trading standards officers are willing and capable of successfully prosecuting those in the industry that misdescribe timber and wood products.

It is clear that companies that fall foul of the law either fraudulently or through failure of management systems will pay the price in the courts. All TTF members should make sure they have the management systems in place to prevent such things happening.

The TTF's codes of practice, which all members will be required to adhere to will be a major way forward in driving up standards in our industry. Careful adherence to these codes would prevent such cases arising.

We cannot of course influence those who are not Federation members, such as James E Smith Ltd, but as this case shows, trading standards officers can and will take action against such parties."