The European Timber Trade Federation (FEBO) is to concentrate its energy in influencing the political establishment in Brussels because of their importance in international decision-making.
Claudia Swoboda, FEBO president, said 70% of national legislation is a result of EU regulations originating from Brussels, which is inevitably increasing the significance of European federations.
She said federations enjoy a much closer hearing at the Directorates-General of the European Commission than their national counterparts.
FEBO, which has its general secretariat in Brussels, will take a particular interest in the Intergovernmental Conference in October where the role of representative federations at EU level will be discussed.
The federation prepresents the European timber trade on the advisory bodies of the Directorates-General whose remit includes timber and forest-product industries. Issues discussed include certification, illegal logging and EU enlargement and its effects.
