Timber trade invited to help shape FLEGT VPA process at London event

7 February 2018


UK timber traders will have an opportunity to help shape the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) VPA process through a trade consultation in London.

The March 8 event at the Building Centre is the first of a series consultation events being organised by the EU FLEGT Independent Market Monitoring (IMM) project in cooperation with the Global Timber Forum (GTF).

Timber businesses and other industry stakeholders, such as specifiers, manufacturers and retailers, can hear latest findings from the IMM’s market survey work and monitoring of EU trade flows from FLEGT VPA-engaged supplier countries.

There are also opportunities for delegates to discuss key issues and share their views on the FLEGT initiative with the European Commission and Government of Indonesia, the first country to start FLEGT licensing its timber exports to the EU.

The event kicks off with a tour of an exhibition at the Building Centre explaining the process behind the EU FLEGT Action Plan in Indonesia and showcasing its FLEGT-licensed products.

Organised by the Timber Trade Federation with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, this runs from February 5 to March 31. Presentations follow on Indonesia-EU trade since the start of FLEGT licensing, EU tropical timber market trends, and the results of the IMM’s 2017 EU trade surveys.

Delegates will also hear preliminary findings from its EU furniture sector study, and a presentation on Indonesia’s PHPL sustainable forest management standard and its role in the country’s VPA.

Breakout discussion sessions after lunch will include tackling market obstacles to tropical timber; ?sustainability credentials and marketing potential of FLEGT-licensed timber, including whether a FLEGT-licence logo makes sense.