October 2001

TTF Meet Meacher And Benn

The Timber Trade Federation has had meetings with Environment Minister Michael Meacher MP (Monday 15 October 2001) and International Development Minister Hilary Benn MP (Monday 22 October 2001) to discuss ways in which the Federation can help to combat the problem of illegal logging, assist progress towards certification and give guidance on the environmental aspects of the procurement process.

Both departments were very keen to engage the UK trade following the Forestry Law Enforcement and Governance East Asia Ministerial Conference, which was held in Indonesia on 11 to 13th September 2001.

The TTF had sought meetings with both Ministers to put the views of the trade over to the Government and hear what the Government expected from the trade.

Both departments have suggested that the possibility of a joint initiative in Indonesia between the UK and the Japanese Timber Trade Federation regarding the sharing of information and the possibility of joint action. DFID has promised to approach the Indonesian Government, which is keen to tackle the problem of illegal logging.

The Ministerial Conference has committed itself to meeting in 2003 to review progress and has invited support from ASEAN and APEC countries. It pledged to work to see that the issue of forest crime is given significant attention in future international fora, including by the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the United Nations Forum on Forests and by the member organizations of the Collaborative Partnerships on Forests. It also calls upon G8 countries to consider how they can help to fight forest crime and to encourage other regions to create similar regional initiatives.

TTF Meet DTI Minister

The Timber Trade Federation met Trade & Industry Minister Nigel Griffiths MP (Tuesday 23 October 2001) to discuss a variety of issues as they impact on the timber trade. Mr Griffiths who has responsibility for small and medium enterprises outlined that the Government's approach to business was to support companies that were dynamic and growing. At the meeting the impact and cost of the Works Consultation Directive and the Working Time Directive were discussed.

One major issue that could seriously impact on the trade is the proposed Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive. This could potentially result in articulated and heavy lorry driver's hours being reduced to six or seven hours and for forklift truck drivers having their hours reduced to a maximum of two. Paul Martin said, " We pressed the Minister and his officials on this and he was left in no doubt as to the seriousness of the impact that this will have on the UK timber trade. The personnel and cost consequences of this could be horrendous. "

The UK Health & Safety Executive is backing opposition to the EU proposals arguing that there is no scientific evidence for the very considerable tightening since the original proposals were made.

For Further Information call Mark O'Brien on 020 7839 1891