The EU will not ban Malaysian ramin, but is considering the introduction of an import permit to the species by listing it under EU regulations.

EU environment commissioner Margo Wallstrom broke the news at the Seventh Conference of Parties (COP 7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kuala Lumpur on February 19.

Commenting on Indonesia’s suggestion that the world should ban ramin from Malaysia in order to curb the illegal logging of the endangered species in Indonesian forests, Ms Wallstrom said: “We still have it [a ban] under consideration but we would prefer that both Indonesia and Malaysia decide to ask for a listing.”

She added that the EU felt that the two countries should upgrade the listing of ramin at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to ensure better protection of the species.

  • Joango Hutan, a network of Malaysian indigenous peoples and NGOs on forest issues, has rejected the Malaysian Timber Certification Council‘s timber certification scheme on the grounds that it “has caused and continues to cause the further marginalisation of our communities”.