May 2003
The UK Timber Trade Federation discusses VAT relief on timber products with the European Hardwood Federation
30 May 2003
The European Hardwood Federation (UCBD) met on the 16th May 2003, in Naples, to discuss the issues affecting the global hardwood trade and state of the European economies. The issues included VAT relief on certified wood products, the UN sanctions on Liberian timber supplies and the Netherlands Timber Trade Association (NTTA) launching their own Code of Conduct.
The UCBD Secretary has written to the European Commission, Taxation and Customs Union Directorate, to further the debate on reduced VAT on timber products. UK Representative Dr Penny Bienz, Head of Environmental Affairs at TTF said that, “Targetting certified products will discriminate against tropical timbers” and supported a VAT reduction on all timber products.
The situation in Liberia and the UN imposed sanctions on the timber trade was discussed. There was concern expressed about how effective the sanctions would be especially at the borders with the Ivory Coast, Guinea and Sierra Leone. There was also an interest to see how China would react.
Jean-Jacques Landrot, President of the Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT) had been in correspondence with the United Nations and Greenpeace International to look at forming a Working Group (UNO/UCBD/ATIBT/NGO) to determine whether or not there is a direct relationship between the timber industry and arms commerce. The UN is currently considering his proposal.
The Netherlands Timber Trade Association presented their new Code of Conduct which differs in approach to the TTF Code of Conduct. Commitments are made to ‘Responsible Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Forestry and Treating People with Care’. For copies of the Code of Conduct, please e-mail pbienz@ttf.co.uk.
The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and FEBO Discuss European Timber Markets
30 May 2003
The European Timber Trade Association (FEBO) met on 23rd May 2003 to discuss the market situation in member countries and working relations with other European timber organisations. Presentations were given on the ‘C.E. marking of wood-based panels’ and the ‘Eastward Enlargement of the European Union and the Forest-Based Industry and Timber Trade in Europe’.
The President, Claudia Swoboda opened the meeting by describing how FEBO should be seen as the European federation for importers and that FEBO has been looking to create greater links with the European Commission in Brussels. FEBO sees itself as a lobbying organisation and is looking to expand its country membership to include Spain and Portugal. It is trying to promote greater co-operation between the various forestry and timber products organisations such as CEI-Bois, CEPI, UCBD and Confederation of European Forest Owners*.
The concept of reduced VAT on Eco-certified goods was discussed and it was established that if the proposal is written into an EU Directive then each member country could decide on its implementation. The meeting also discussed the market situation in member countries. Timber prices were predicted to decrease and the summary was of higher costs and shrinking revenues.
A presentation of the CE marking of wood-based panels was given by Kris Wynendaele (CEI-Bois), highlighting the issues that the timber trade needs to be aware of. The CE mark represents a European standard for wood-based panels and will be compulsory from the 1st April 2004. For a discussion on CE marking or a copy of the presentation please contact Nick Boulton at the TTF.
Seppo Kallio, from the Finnish Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) gave a presentation on the effect of eastward enlargement on the timber trade in Europe. He concluded an increase in forest and woodland area by 34 million hectares, a higher proportion of publicly owned forests and more employment. In the short-term the new EU members would provide additional timber supplies, however, in the longer term they could become potential markets.
The meeting concluded with a mention on the CEI-Bois and CEPI Project that is looking at a single chain-of-custody for wood-based products.
For more information on any of these issues, please contact Dr Penny Bienz at the TTF on 02078391891.
Forests Forever Launches Environmental Report 2003
Forests Forever AGM (29 April 2003) saw the launch of the third Environmental Report highlighting the success of the Timber Trade Federation's environmental campaign in 2002. The report outlined Forests Forever's initiatives in tackling illegal logging, promoting education and developing corporate social responsibility in the timber sector.
The report also focussed on the Forests Forever Website Re-development project and forthcoming publications for architects and specifiers to promote the informed use of wood. Dr. Penny Bienz, TTF Head of Environmental Affairs said, "Considerable progress has been made over the last year in implementing Forests Forever's environmental strategy through our initiatives, government relations and promoting education. We will be distributing the report to policy makers, civil servants and the media to highlight our success."
Click here to view and download the report
For further information contact Jessica at jfaleiro@ttf.co.uk
Timber Trade Federation supports Malaysian ban on Indonesian logs
20 May 2003
The UK Timber Trade Federation is very concerned to hear (BBC Radio4 15.5.03 and BBC1 News at 6pm) that Indonesian logs are still entering Malaysia in spite of the log import ban. TTF members unreservedly condemn illegal logging practice and are committed to working with suppliers and other stakeholders towards the complete elimination of illegal logging.
We have notified our members trading with Malaysia and advised them to redouble checks on their suppliers to ensure they are not unwittingly purchasing illegal Indonesia timber from Malaysia. TTF is encouraged to hear of further commitments from the Malaysian Minister of Primary Industries to tighten enforcement efforts and to introduce further legislation covering squared off timber Large Scantlings and Squares (LSS). TTF Director-General, Mr Paul Martin, will be visiting Malaysia in the near future to further co-operation with the Malaysian government.
TTF has also been looking at timber supplies direct from Indonesia to the UK as part of the Indonesia-UK Memorandum of Understanding to tackle illegal logging. After a visit to Indonesia in January 2003 we are now working with our members to develop a collective approach to supplier assessment in Indonesia that will lead to independent auditing of the supply chain. A meeting has been fixed for the 4th June to take this further and so secure supplies of legal timber from Indonesia.
For further information please contact Jessica Faleiro on jfaleiro@ttf.co.uk
Timber Trade Federation promotes its Code of Conduct in Quebec
The Timber Trade Federation was invited by Quebec Wood Export Bureau in Quebec City, Canada (7th May 2003) to present on the TTF Code of Conduct, the Forests Forever Environmental Purchasing Policy and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Timber Trade.
Jessica Faleiro, Environment and Communications Coordinator at the TTF, talked about UK timber trade initiatives to tackle illegal logging, the importance of sourcing timber from sustainable sources and providing assurances where independently verified sources of timber were unavailable. The trip to Quebec included visits to hardwood and softwood mills and a guided tour of the Montmagny forest region by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Other items presented included the markets for Canadian wood in China and Japan as well as a discussion of the new phytosanitary regulations governing Canadian wood packaging from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
For a copy of any of these presentations, please e-mail jfaleiro@ttf.co.uk
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