December 2004

Federation wins Government Approval and EU Grant

14 December 2004

The Timber Trade Federation has had two major successes recently in both the public affairs and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) spheres.  Last Thursday (9 December) the Federation hosted a meeting with Environment Protection Minister, Elliot Morley, which was extremely positive.  The recent CPET report on certification was high on the agenda and the Minister agreed that DEFRA would examine the possibility of seconding an official to the TTF to work on procurement matters. He welcomed and praised the constructive relationship DEFRA had with the TTF, particularly our involvement in the CPET supervisory board.

The Minister also praised the Responsible Purchasing Policy as an example of industry good practice and recognised it as valuable tool in meeting government procurement requirements. 

Another boost to the Federation’s CSR work came in the shape of an EU grant of 3.5 million euros to fund a partnership of EU and developing country timber trade organisations to promote the sourcing of verified, legal tropical timber into the partner countries.

The aim of the five-year project is to deliver direct practical support to obtain verified legal timber from 183 mills and forest concessions, through the establishment of common standards of legality, with accompanying systems for monitoring supply chain transparency and accountability.
The project will build capacity and develop practical timber tracking in four supplier countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Gabon and the Cameroon) and help to spread codes of practice and legality information through workshops, newsletters, websites and consultations. 

Any Roby the TTF’s Corporate Social Responsibility Adviser said, “This grant, which operates on the basis of matched funding, offers a substantial budget to fund capacity building and help our suppliers to help deliver more verified legal timber into European partner countries. This is another major step forward in helping the private sector to co-operate with the EU in delivering its action plan on illegal logging. “

For further information contact Andy Roby on 020 7839 1891

EU Illegal Logging Project Approved

13 December 2004

An EU grant of 3.5 million euros has been awarded to a partnership of EU and developing country timber trade organisations to boost the sourcing of verified, legal tropical timber into the partner countries. (1)

The aim of the five-year project is to deliver direct, practical support to obtain verified legal timber from 183 mills and forest concessions, through the establishment of common standards of legality, with accompanying systems for monitoring supply chain transparency and accountability.

The project will build capacity and develop practical timber tracking in four supplier countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Gabon, Cameroon) and help to spread codes of practice and legality information through workshops, newsletters, websites and consultations.

The project funding is based on a co-financing arrangement, which will involve the partners matching funding with the grant money on a healthy and attractive ratio. 

The project will be managed on a day-to-day basis by the Tropical Forest Trust and overseen by a governing board of timber trade organisations with regular reporting to funding organisations, partners and associates. (2)

Andy Roby the TTF’s Corporate Social Responsibility Adviser said, “ We are absolutely delighted with the decision to award this grant – it offers, with the matched funding arrangements, a substantial budget to fund capacity building with our suppliers to help them deliver more verified legal timber from tropical sources - up to 20% of the total entering European partner countries.  This is another major step with the private sector in co-operating with the EU to deliver the EU’s Action Plan on Illegal Logging.  TTF members interested in getting involved in this exciting programme should contact us as soon as possible.“

For further information contact Andy Roby on 020 7839 1891 or ajroby@ttf.co.uk

Notes:

1. The partners consist of the Dutch, Belgian and UK timber trade federations as well as the Malaysian Timber Council and East Kalimantan University. Associate members include the European Hardwood Federation (UCBD), European Timber Trade Federation (FEBO), and the French Timber Trade Federation (Le Commerce du Bois).
2. The Tropical Forest Trust is a five-year old NGO working with business to deliver sustainable forestry.  It has 30 member companies operating in 17 countries. See www.tropicalforesttrust.com
   

Full CPET Report Published

7 December 2004

Following Environment Minister Elliot Morley's recent announcement on the assessment of five forest certification schemes, the full report by ProForest and ERM Ltd is now available for inspection on the Sustainable Development in Government website at http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/improving/guidancef.htm

The Report, commissioned for the Central point of Expertise on Timber, shows in detail the assessment criteria and how each scheme was judged. The object was not to compare the schemes, but too determine whether their certificates alone give assurance that specific Government contract requirements for legal harvesting and sustainable forest management are met. To allow timber producers, Government procurers and suppliers to adjust, this will come into effect in six-months' time.

From May 2005 Government departments will be advised to continue accepting certificates from all five schemes as assurance of coming from legal timber sources but only the CSA and FSC schemes as providing assurance of sustainable sources. Certificates from the SFI, MTCC and PEFC schemes, as they currently operate, would not be sufficient on their own to provide assurance of sustainable sources but they could be if accompanied by additional confirmation that the requirements for legal/sustainable are being met.

In the case of SFI, the scheme adequately ensures that forests in North America are sustainably managed. Suppliers of SFI certified products who wish to offer sustainable timber need only to provide additional evidence that the wood content of the final product contains an acceptable proportion from timber harvested in SFI certified forests.

In the case of PEFC, it appears likely that some of the national PEFC schemes will meet the Government criteria for certification schemes and so would be acceptable assurance in conjunction with evidence that the forests of origin were in one of those countries.

The MTCC scheme is developing new standards based on FSC principles and plans to meet all the Government's criteria for assurance sometime in 2005.

On the SDIG web site is a Government statement on the representations received on the conduct of this exercise.

The UK Timber Trade Federation has said: "We are delighted that all five schemes have been given the stamp of legality and that three of the schemes came very close to meeting the Government's rigorous forestry sustainability criteria. We will be working with the schemes, as members of the CPET reference board, to address these issues and are pleased that the Government are allowing a six-month period of grace to make any necessary modifications. Timber Trade Federation Members look forward to meeting all the UK Government purchasing requirements, regarding one of the most sustainable materials available today".

For Further Information Call Andy Roby on 020 7389 0126

Notes for editors

1. The report was commissioned as part of Phase 1 of a central point of expertise on timber (CPET) that the UK Government is developing. The CPET will provide a helpline facility for public sector buyers and their suppliers in procuring legal and sustainable timber. News release 451/04 issued on 9 November 2004 announced the Government's decision to accept a report from consultants ProForest and ERM on the acceptability of five forest certification schemes as assurance of legal and sustainable timber sources supplied to UK central Government departments.
2. News release 515/03 issued on 5 December 2003 announced the decision to proceed with Phase 1 of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET). News release 222/04 issued on 15 June 2004 announced the appointment of ProForest and ERM as the CPET Phase 1 service provider. The Central Point of Expertise on Timber will be expanded in 2005 to provide a help line service for buyers in the public sector and their suppliers.

For Further Information Call Andy Roby on 020 7389 0126

TTF Appoints New Chief Executive

1 December 2004

The Timber Trade Federation has appointed John White, to be its new Chief Executive. John White is currently the Director of the Federation of Bakers and has worked for the leisure machine trade association, BACTA. Prior to that he held a senior position at Trade Association Services, a management and exhibition company, where he handled a diverse range of clients including meat rendering products, baby products and garden furniture.  

TTF President John Tong said, “We believe that John has the right combination of skills and experience to take the TTF forward at a time when the Federation faces many exciting challenges in the political, promotional and environmental spheres.“

John White said, “I believe that trade associations are a vital part of the political culture and at their best are essential to good government. I am looking forward to meeting with the TTF membership in the New Year and listening to their concerns and priorities.“

Note: John White begins his employment with the TTF on Monday 14 February 2005. For further information or interviews, John White can be contacted on 07940937415.