2Sustain

A compromise deal that will ban illegal timber from Europe is near completion, some seven years after the EU first planned to crack down on the black market for wood products.

According to Greenpeace, the new agreement –which still needs the formal agreement of the full Parliament and Council before it can become law –will send a clear signal to the market that illegal timber is prohibited and ultimately, drive systemic changes in the forestry industry.

“If this law is passed, illegal timber will be banned from Europe,” explains Greenpeace EU forest policy director, Sebastien Risso . ’The world’s largest market is about to shut its gates to companies profiting from illegal trafficking and forest destruction. The black market for wood products is often run by criminals fueling conflict, robbing governments of revenue and causing irreversible environmental destruction. With this law, the black economy for wood products in Europe will be closed for business, leveling the playing field so companies are better able to act sustainably.”

The new law will mean that companies in Europe will be required to

• Trace timber back to the country and concession of harvest, and
• Verify wood products considered at risk of being illegal.

These new regulations are expected to be formally approved this summer, and even though they will significantly strengthen the EU Forest Law, Governance and Trade Partnership program, Greenpeace would like the sanctions and penalties to be even stronger.  For example, under the agreement set for approval, printed material (including books) is exempted for at least the next five years, the organization points out.