A breakthrough in EU illegal timber import negotiations has been hailed by the UK government and timber trade.
Informal negotiations between the European Parliament and European Council have secured the prohibition of illegal timber in the European market within draft regulations, a European Parliament spokesperson has confirmed. Until now the Council had not supported prohibition – the criminalising of illegal timber imports into the EU.
This paves the way for the regulation to become law by the end of 2012.
Securing the agreement had been a priority for the new coalition government, said environment minister Caroline Spelman.
“We need to make it an offence to bring illegal timber into the EU and cut off the markets through which it can be sold,” she said.
“The Council of the EU backing this measure is a massive step forward.”
“This is fantastic news and represents a first in that the government, NGO community and trade in the UK have all lobbied for the same position for the inclusion of a prohibition,” said Rachel Butler, Timber Trade Federation head of sustainability. “I want to express particular thanks to both [former environment minister] Hilary Benn who campaigned tirelessly with European Council colleagues to get them on board and also Caroline Spelman who picked up the agenda quickly and made time to meet stakeholders to ensure the momentum was not lost.”
European Parliament rapporteur for the regulation Satu Hassi said she was delighted with the changes but said it was “hugely disappointing” that member states could not move closer to the parliament’s position, with considerable differences between their various positions.
“In light of this, I would like to thank the Spanish presidency for all their efforts to help secure an agreement.”
The European Parliament will vote on the proposals on July 6, followed by the Council later this year.
