Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 14 • 23rd July 2004
EU Plans to Tackle Illegal Logging Criticised
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On 20 July, the European Commission adopted a set of measures to address the problem of illegal logging and the related trade in illegally harvested timber, which is estimated to cost developing countries US$ 12.3 to 18.4 billion annually. Specifically, the Commission plans to set up voluntary partnerships with wood-producing countries affected by illegal logging to support and promote governance reform in their timber sectors. Also, the Commission will develop a regulation setting up a legally-binding licensing scheme with partner countries, to ensure that only legal timber from these countries is allowed into the EU. The measures fall under the Commission’s Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT), adopted in May last year.
While the environmental group WWF welcomed the Commissions’ continuing efforts to combat illegal logging, they believe that a voluntary scheme was not sufficient. In their opinion, the measures would not address the failure of EU member states to implement necessary measures at the domestic level. According to a WWF survey released in April, 12 out of the 15 old EU member countries had failed to take adequate action against illegal logging (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 16 May 2004). Greenpeace also criticised the new measure for not setting up binding principles to ensure that timber licences are consistent and effective.
“Environment-EU: New Measures in Fight Against Illegal Logging,” TERRAVIVA, 22 July 2004.
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