The European Commission has adopted a range of measures designed to crack down on illegal logging and the related trade in illegally harvested timber.

The measures, which aim to deliver the EU‘s Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Action Plan, include voluntary partnerships with wood-producing countries to support and promote governance reform in their timber sectors.

A legally-binding licensing scheme will also be set up to ensure only legal timber enters the EU.

&#8220We want to promote honest logging as an important contribution to the social and economic development of our partner countries”

Poul Nielson, European commissioner for development and humanitarian aid

Poul Nielson, European commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, said: “We want to promote honest logging as an important contribution to the social and economic development of our partner countries. And we want to protect our own consumers. Ultimately, the European consumer should be able to buy garden furniture with a clear conscience.”