Workshop examines illegal timber legislation

“Does banning illegal logging rule out wood?” That is the question forming the focus of a workshop in Belgium aimed at timber traders.

The April 13 event in Brussels is being organised by the UN’s European Economic and Social Committee and co-sponsored by The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Canada Wood and Cei-Bois.

The workshop will examine the implications of the recently approved EU due diligence legislation and the earlier US Lacey Act Amendment, both of which are aimed at removing illegal timber and wood-based products from the market.

Organisers want to encourage a broader awareness of the legislation and impacts among sector stakeholders.

Speakers include Forest Industries Intelligence’s Rupert Oliver, Gary Lougee of the US Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Sofie Tind Nielsen of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement, as well as representatives of AHEC, the UK Timber Trade Federation, IKEA, Canada Wood and the Malaysian Timber Council.

For more details visit www.unece.org/timber.