The European Parliament yesterday moved one step closer to banning the import and sale of illegal logged timber after it adopted a report (1) produced by South East Green MEP Caroline Lucas on the trade of illegal timber and wood products in the EU. Dr Lucas commented:
"I am delighted that MEPs have backed my proposals to transform the Commission's vitally important - but currently weak - proposal on illegally-sourced timber into meaningful and effective legislation.
"For years the EU has preached against illegal timber but continued to provide one of the biggest markets for it. Between 20% and 40% of global industrial wood production is estimated to come from illegal sources, and up to 20% finds its way into the EU - with biodiversity and forest-dependent peoples paying the price. The longer term effects are potentially even more serious, since deforestation accounts for nearly a fifth of the global total emissions causing climate change.
"The Amazon-sized hole in the Commission's existing proposal to address the problem is that it does not actually prohibit the import and sale of illegally logged timber. It also focuses all its attention on one particular point in the supply chain. Although my report maintains the Commission's suggestion that only operators who place timber and timber products on the EU market for the first time should be required to introduce a full due diligence system, it makes clear that all operators in the market share responsibility for trading only legally sourced wood.
"My report also fleshes out what this system would consist of and how risk assessment would work; improving traceability, monitoring and enforcement measures, and removing a totally inappropriate exemption for biomass. Finally, a comprehensive and harmonised system of penalties, including criminal penalties for gross infringements of the law, would give real teeth to the legislation."
Dr Lucas continued: "The spotlight is now on Agriculture Ministers to secure political agreement on the legislation by June. After years of delay by the Commission, MEPs have pulled out all the stops to complete their work in the shortest time possible - for which I am very grateful to colleagues. Unfortunately this sense of urgency has thus far not been shared by the Council, which has shamefully dragged its feet. It is imperative that the Czech Presidency now steps up the pressure, so that the Swedes can guide the process to conclusion this autumn.
"The central place of forestry issues in international negotiations for a new global climate agreement makes credible EU action on illegal logging all the more important. MEPs have today demonstrated that they respect their responsibilities here; it is now over to Ministers to do the same.
She concluded: "Notable exceptions to the support from MEPs were the Conservatives, who abstained in today's vote. This serves to highlight the hypocrisy of constant Conservative rhetoric about the importance of forest protection; when given a prime opportunity to vote in favour of concrete action to stem one of the major drivers of deforestation, they fail to do so."
Notes to editors
(1) 45 in favour, 22 against, around 180 abstentions (EPP Group)
For more information on the work of Dr Lucas MEP, please contact Melissa Freeman on 0207 407 9935 / 07950 382149 or carolinepress@greenmeps.org.uk