Indonesia is making progress in tackling illegal logging but much work still needs to be done, The Timber Trade Federation‘s (TTF) Andy Roby has reported after a week-long visit to the country.

Mr Roby, the TTF’s corporate social responsibility adviser, reviewed elements of the Indonesian Forest Industry Revitalisation Agency (BRIK) auditing system and talked to social NGOs about a working definition of legality for Indonesian timber.

He said: “I think the BRIK system has some merit but it is limited. It’s part of the answer.”

Mr Roby said BRIK needed to assess other aspects of legality and introduce field inspections of mills and forests, plus make its governing board more independent of industry in order to meet the UK and Dutch market’s growing demand for verified legal timber. He recommended BRIK certificates be included in any legality verification standard.

&#8220The BRIK system has some merit but it is limited. It’s part of the answer”

Andy Roby, TTF corporate social responsibility adviser

He was also surprised at the lack of support for a working definition of legality during a workshop in Bogor, with many social and human rights NGOs “grappling” with the issue for the first time.

He encouraged the groups to endorse a working definition “as soon as possible” so UK and Dutch companies can begin verification work with their Indonesian suppliers and service providers. Otherwise, he said Indonesian mills currently co-operating may walk away from the process.

Mr Roby, who also made a presentation to representatives of the Association of South East Asian Nations, said progress included log supplies being more restricted and mills without long-term supplies reducing capacity. Also, TTF members are working with the Tropical Forest Trust to develop mill action plans at five suppliers, aimed at excluding illegal timber.