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Celebrations as illegally harvested timber becomes illegal

Posted: 08/07/2010

The activist lawyer's organisation, ClientEarth celebrated today as MEPs voted for an outright ban on the importation of illegally harvested timber. ClientEarth, a Europe based NGO of environmentalist lawyers, has been working since the regulation’s inception to demonstrate to MEPs that the prohibition of illegal timber alongside ‘forest to consumer’ traceability could be practical and enforceable.

They have closely supported former MEP Caroline Lucas, now the first green M.P., to guide the bill through the Parliament.

Tim Grabiel, Climate and Forests Lawyer at ClientEarth, said: “This is a great step forward for environmentalists in Europe and around the world. The trade in illegally logged timber costs timber-producing countries €10-15 billion per year in lost revenues and accounts for up to 40 per cent of the world’s timber production, but the widespread criminality and environmental devastation it causes isn't valued by anybody.“

"Europe’s politicians have set a strong and positive example to the world by banning illegal timber from entering the European marketplace. The regulation also makes timber traceable and requires robust due diligence to ensure only legal timber is traded in Europe. This bill underscores how consuming countries can harness their purchasing power to tackle deforestation.”

The ban directly applies to European forest owners and timber importers, but would not apply to products brought to market that had been constructed with illegal timber before the measures come into effect. Under the law traders must compile wide-ranging information concerning the timber they deal in, including the country of harvest, and implement risk assessment procedures.

Substantial penalties would apply to those breaking the law which would be calculated on the basis of environmental damage caused. The bill has one more stage of approval to go through in September when it will be reviewed by the Council. The approved law would come into effect in 2012.
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