BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 21, 2004 (ENS) – The European Commission has adopted a new set of measures to combat the growing problem of illegal logging and the related trade in illegally harvested timber that are to blame for vast environmental damage in developing and transition countries.
Announcing the new program on Tuesday, Poul Nielson, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said, “All major wood importing countries have to recognize the vital role they must play in closing down the international trade in illegal timber. Today we are showing the way. I strongly encourage others to join our ranks.”
There are two main elements to the package. First, voluntary partnerships will be established with wood producing countries negatively affected by illegal logging to support and promote governance reform in their timber sectors.
Second, The Commission will write a regulation that sets up a legally binding licensing scheme with partner countries to ensure that only legal timber from these countries is allowed into the European Union.
The package is based on an innovative approach that links the push for good governance in developing countries with the legal instruments and leverage offered by the EU’s internal market. Commenting on the voluntary agreements that are at the core of the proposed package, Nielson said, “Only by working in close partnership with wood producing countries can we hope to have a real impact. The partnership agreements provide producing countries with the incentives and support required for them to play a leading role in the fight against illegal logging.”
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