April 2003

TTF looks at Strategies for the Sounds Use of Wood in Eastern Europe

The Timber Trade Federation met with forest industry representatives, conservation groups and international organisations in Romania (March 24-27) to debate strategies for good forest management and the sound use of wood.

The meeting, which was organized by the UNECE Timber Committee, the FAO European Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture from Romania and the Romanian National Forestry Administration focussed on problems and opportunities for reaching sustainability in forest management as well as in the wood working industry with a particular focus for strategies on the sound use of wood in Central and Eastern Europe.

The topics discussed included life cycle analysis, increasing the competition of wood and promoting wood through campaigns and communication. Certification and supply chain issues were also discussed with presentations from both FSC and PEFC.

For more detailed information about proceedings of the seminar please refer to
http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/docs/sem-1/sem-1.htm

TTF seeks ways of sourcing legal timber from Cameroon.

The Timber Trade Federation met with the private sector, civil society and government in Cameroon (March 8th to 15th) to discuss guidelines for UK traders and to prepare for the upcoming African FLEG (Forest Law Enforcement and Governance) meeting.

The TTF organised stakeholder discussion groups in collaboration with DFID for the private sector and civil society to discuss current issues of forest management in Cameroon. There was interest in the TTF Code of Conduct, which compared well with other industry codes. Stakeholders agreed on the best proof of legality and what documentary proof would be necessary. Companies also accepted the need for independent verification of legality as a necessity.

The International Forest Industry Association is promoting their own Code of Conduct, which their members companies based in Cameroon will have to sign up to.

For further information on their Code please refer to their website on: http://www.ifiasite.com or further information contact email ajroby@ttf.co.uk