Consultation paper launched

A CONSULATATION paper has been launched this week to look at how EU proposals for a new licensing scheme to control timber imported into the Europe will affect the UK.

The Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan sets out a new and innovative approach to tackling illegal logging.

One of its measures requires the European Commission to legislate to prevent imports of illegally logged timber into the European market and negotiate agreements with other wood-producing countries.

These agreements will require partner countries to establish a scheme to license legally produced timber (harvested according to relevant national legislation) exported to the EU. 

This would mean that timber which came from a partner country could not be imported into the EU without such a license.

Over one hundred organisations in the UK will be invited to comment within the three month consultation period ending on the 11th August 2005.

Environment Minister Elliot Morley said: "This is another positive step towards the eradication of this wholly unacceptable trade. Consumer countries must act in partnership with producer countries if we are to make effective progress."