At least 20 national timber industry federations are meeting in Geneva to discuss regulation on legal timber sourcing and other environmental issues affecting the trade.
The unprecedented gathering on October 27 has been organised under the Timber Trade Action Plan, the European Union initiative launched in 2005 to help suppliers to Europe “deliver verified legal timber”.
Among the topics up for discussion is the US Lacey Act, which was amended this year to make it an offence for American companies to handle timber deemed illegal in the country of origin. Proposed EU legislation to ensure timber entering member states is verified legal will also be on the agenda.
“With markets demanding legal verification and the Lacey Act and EU legislation enforcing this demand, it is time for timber trade federations to come together to share lessons, tools and advice on how to meet the needs of their members and of changing markets,” said Emily Fripp, the TTAP’s donor programme director.
