Sourcing Legal Timber Into The EU Marketplace

In a major new development key players in the European timber trade have met (5 December 2003) to develop a shared set of objectives and a practical proposal to promote the sourcing of legal timber into the European marketplace.

All those present recognised that the industry was under serious pressure to address these challenges and move forward rapidly on the issue of illegal timber.

Challenges highlighted included the recent European Commission Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, the related development of public procurement policies in member states and threats to the public perception of the trade from NGO action and green consumers.

The following long-term aims were agreed:

•  The complete removal of illegal timber from the European trade.
• Increased market share compared with other products with similar applications such as steel and plastics.
•  More progressive and productive engagement with producer countries as well as individual producers.
• A return to positive " green " consumer perceptions of products.
•  The end of national market distortion caused by the significant amounts of illegal timber entering the EU.
• Helping to shape future legislative developments in the sector through moving progressively and quickly as a co-ordinated private sector group.
• Sharing of best practice between different participating nations.
• Develop a sense of ownership of the problem among all European traders to avoid " free-riders" and ensure viable market-wide action in the face of NGO criticism.
• Broaden out the effort to bring on board other trade Federations.

The European trade is committed to eliminating illegal timber from the supply chain and will be exploring in the coming months a range of initiatives that will assist in delivering the European Commission's FLEGT Action Plan to tackle illegal logging. The private sector has a key role to play in combating illegal logging and can exert a direct and positive influence through a network of business relationships, extending from the forest to the marketplace.

Japan called on to join efforts to source legal timber

Thee Timber Trade Federation has called on Japan to join the efforts of European and North American traders to eliminate illegal timber from their supply chains.

On a recent trip to Japan (18-23 November 2003), the TTF’s Corporate Social Responsibility Adviser Andy Roby, attended a series of meetings bringing together the private sector, NGOs and policy makers to discuss the UK’s experience with the TTF’s various initiatives to promote the sourcing of legal and sustainable timber.

Japan is the world’s top net wood importer (77.6 million m3 in 2000 and its per capita consumption is about 50% greater than the UK.)

Andy Roby said, “ Japan is a powerful buyer in the international marketplace and if the Japanese were to co-ordinate their purchasing policy with the UK and the EU we could jointly have a much bigger impact on suppliers.

The visit was very effective at raising awareness of UK and European initiatives to source legal timber and in sharing some of our earlier experiences and lessons.

The TTF should maintain contacts with Japan and where possible involve their companies in the TTF Indonesian Initiative. When we have the results of our report we should try and get some of the larger trading houses to adopt similar purchasing policies and auditing frameworks.

For further information call Andy Roby on 020 7389 0126 or visit www.ttf.co.uk/environment/str/index.asp for a copy of the full report of the visit.

Timber Trade Meet Bradshaw and welcome CPET

The Timber Trade Federation has met with Forestry Minister, Ben Bradshaw MP (Wednesday 10 December) to discuss a range of issues relevant to the trade including certification, sustainable forest management and the forthcoming new timber procurement guidelines, which will assist public sector procurement officials buy legal and sustainable timber.

The Federation this week welcomed in the previous week, the formation of the Central Point of Expertise, which will assist government departments in determining whether particular certification schemes meet the government’s requirements for sourcing legal and sustainable timber and timber products.

CPET will commence its work in the New Year and will be accountable to a management board, which will contain representatives from all the relevant UK stakeholders including the UK timber trade.

TTF Head of Public Affairs, Mark O’Brien said, “ We were delighted that the Minister met with us and we had a constructive and positive discussion on a range of subjects including the immense environmental value of timber across its life cycle. This meeting was the third Ministerial meeting this year and further consolidated the trade’s already good relations with the Government. “

For further information contact Mark O’Brien on 020 7839 1891 or email mobrien@ttf.co.uk