G8 MINISTERS TO TACKLE ILLEGAL LOGGING, FALL SHORT OF IMPORT BAN
Environment and development ministers from the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations agreed at a 17-18 March meeting in Derbyshire, England, to step up efforts to combat the illegal timber trade by reducing both the supply of and demand for the illicit commodity, but fell short of endorsing binding import restrictions on uncertified timber.
The G8 ministers decided to "encourage, adopt or extend public timber procurement policies that favour legal timber," and to encourage the private sector to use legally-sourced timber. They also agreed to develop WTO-consistent voluntary arrangements aimed at helping border control authorities halt the import of illegal timber. The group further acknowledged the need to increase support to developing countries to enforce forest law and improve governance.
The US was the main opponent of the binding import restrictions that the UK government had been lobbying for. A leaked US State Department memo said that "demand side actions involving new import or procurement regulations/restrictions are unacceptable." The memo also indicated that the US would make efforts to dissuade Russia and Japan from supporting the UK.
Nonetheless, UK Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn said his government was "delighted" with the agreement reached at the meeting. European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel, however, expressed "disappointment at the lack of new concrete outcomes." The environmental community was even more critical. Greenpeace Britain chief Stephen Tindale described it as a "missed opportunity," saying "They know what needs to be done but just lack the political will." His colleague Nathalie Rey likened the policy to "putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound," since it ignored the impacts of logging that is legal but unsustainable.
The G8 statement is available at here.
"G8 Environment and Development Ministers Agree Action on Illegal Logging and Put Climate Change in Africa on Agenda for G8 Heads," UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO G8 CENTER, 18 March 2005; " Illegal Mahogany Logging Exposed in Peru’s New National Park," ENS, 31 March 2005; " US tries to sink forests plan," THE GUARDIAN, 16 March 2005; "G8 Agrees Need for Action on Logging, Africa," REUTERS, 21 March 2005; "G8 Ministers Pledge to Curb Illegal Logging, Climate Change," IPS, 21 March 2005
MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT REVEALS ‘STRAIN’ ON EARTH
Human activity is damaging the planet’s ecosystems at unprecedented rates that call into question the ability of the environment to sustain the processes that support life, according to a landmark report released on 30 March. The Millenium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report, the result of four years of research by over 1,300 experts, says that as much as 60 percent of life-supporting systems are being degraded. It goes on to predict abrupt changes such as the emergence of new diseases, sudden changes in water quality, the collapse of fisheries, and shifts in regional climates as a result of ecosystem deterioration.
Efforts to meet growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre, and fuel have caused widespread changes in ecosystems over the last 50 years, the experts say. In particular, evidence suggests capture fisheries and fresh water are currently well beyond the levels that can sustain current demands, much less those of future generations. The report suggests that a change in perception that recognises ecosystems’ full value would make it possible to harness technology and knowledge to preserve the environment.
Critics such as environmental group Friends of the Earth said that the report could have elaborated on the links between natural resources and trade liberalisation, arguing that liberalisation made it even more important for local and national governments to focus on regulating access to resources within their borders.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was launched by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June 2001 in order to generate scientific information concerning the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and put forward options for responding to those changes. This synthesis report is the first of six reports aimed at different audiences
The Synthesis Report and the statement by the MEA Board, “Living Beyond Our Means: Natural Assets and Human Well-being”, can be accessed here.
“Human Damage To Earth Worsening Fast - Report,” REUTERS, 30 March 2005; “Environment: Most Ecosystems Threatened, Major Report Says,” IPS, 30 March 2005 .
UN SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS FOR DISMANTLING OF TRADE BARRIERS
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on developed countries to establish a timetable to dismantle market access barriers as part of a set of proposals for UN and global policy reform. The 21 March report, entitled "In Larger Freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all," also pointed to the phase-out of trade-distorting domestic subsidies in rich countries — particularly those to agricultural production — as an "urgent priority.
The report, intended to put forward a set of "bold but achievable" reform proposals, also urged WTO Members to complete the Doha Round of trade negotiations by 2006. To this end, Annan suggested that they should provide duty-free and quota-free market access for all exports from least-developed countries.
Furthermore, the report calls on UN members to ensure environmental sustainability in their national development plans, and stresses the importance of global action towards reducing desertification, biodiversity depletion and climate change. Describing climate change as "one of the greatest environmental and development challenges in the twenty-first century", Annan called for the creation by 2012 of a more inclusive international framework to mitigate climate change that includes major emitters of greenhouse gases. International charity Oxfam urged countries to take action in accordance with the report’s recommendations, specifically those that pertain to poverty reduction.
The report can be accessed here.
"Politics: Landmark UN Report on Reform Gets Mixed Reviews," IPS, 22 March 2005; "Annan Calls for Bold Moves to Reform United Nations," ENS, 21 March 2005 2005 .
USTR TAKES AIM AT BARRIERS TO US EXPORTS
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has released its annual report on foreign barriers to trade and investment as well as US efforts to tear down those barriers. The 2005 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) is significant because it will help serve as a guide for US trade negotiations over the next year. After releasing the report, Acting USTR Peter Allgeier said that the US would use "consultations, negotiations, and litigation… aggressively to make sure that Americans are treated fairly."
The 672-page report provides detailed descriptions of what the USTR describes as "barriers and unfair trade practices" vis-à-vis market access for US goods, services, and farm products in 61 of the US’ trading partners. Notable issues identified in this year’s list include counterfeiting and piracy in China and Mexico’s 20 percent tax on beverages and syrups made with sweeteners other than cane sugar, which affects US-produced sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. India was criticised for high tariffs, various non-tariff barriers including complicated customs procedures, and undue subsidies. Reopening Japan’s market to US beef — banned since late 2003 when BSE was found in a cow in the US — was identified as another priority
lThe same week, the USTR announced the results of its ‘1377 Review,’ a similar report focusing on telecommunications trade. It criticised China, India, and Japan for maintaining high levels of protection in the sector.
The NTE report is available here.
"USTR Releases 2005 Inventory of Foreign Trade Barriers," USTR PRESS RELEASE, 30 March 2005; "USTR Issues 2005 "1377" Review of Telecommunications Trade Agreements," USTR PRESS RELEASE, 1 April 2005; "US hits out at India’s high tariff wall," ECONOMIC TIMES, 2 April 2005.