EUTR hits tropical hardwood imports
13 July 2013The EUTR has been cited as a cause behind the fall in imports of tropical plywood and hardwoods into Europe since the new legislation came into force at the beginning of March.
The first data before and after the introduction of the EUTR revealed a surge in imports of plywood in January and February, then a 20% fall to only 150,000m3 in March, the International Tropical Timber Organisation reported.
The March figure is significantly lower than normal for the time of year, the ITTO said, and supports the decline in construction activity.
However, the ITTO is questioning whether the surge in imports to beat the EUTR deadline and the subsequent decline is indicative of a long-term trend or a time in which the excess stock has to go through the supply chain.
The signs so far are that the larger Chinese manufacturers are adapting quickly to the EUTR. The most immediate change has been a switch in the face veneers away from high-risk species such as bintangor or Russian birch.
The decline in imports is mirrored in shipments of tropical hardwoods into Europe. The significant extra cost and complications caused by the legislation has exacerbated the continuing commercial decline of imports.
Meanwhile, in Ireland new legislation laying down the penalties for infringing the EUTR is at an advanced stage. Agricultural minister Simon Coveney was replying to a parliamentary question promoted by international environmental lawyers' group Client Earth, which called on the Irish government to put measures in place.
