EU ministers water down illegal timber legislation

Planned EU legislation designed to ban the import of illegal timber and wood products has been watered down at a meeting of agricultural ministers in Brussels yesterday.

Ministers voted in favour of a compromise text on due diligence legislation, which effectively dropped the criminalisation of selling illegal timber and instead minimises the risk of the material entering the EU. It also removes financial penalties for non-compliance.

Sweden, Finland, Portugal and Austria were among countries voting in favour of the amendments, with the UK, Spain and the Netherlands against the changes.

The revised proposals, which will go back to the European Parliament for further debate in 2010, focus on the first occasion when timber and wood products are placed on the EU market.

“The rules will oblige those involved to ensure, as far as possible, that the timber or wood products on the market are legally logged,” the EU said in a statement.

“In other words, the regulation focuses on the actions of the operators rather than on the products.”

Greenpeace immediately launched a stinging attack on the amendments, saying Sweden had abused its position as EU president in its redrafting of the planned regulation. “There is no compliance mechanism included,” it said.

France and Luxembourg expressed a need to create a strong and dissuasive regime of sanctions at EU level, but voted in favour of the amendments.

Legislation is expected to be finally agreed next year, but a further amendment made in Brussels means its implementation will be delayed for a further three years.