The government is hoping to set up its central point of expertise on timber procurement before the end of the year.
Michael Meacher, speaking in one of his last parliamentary sessions before stepping down as minister for the environment, told MPs that the centre’s main activities will be assessing whether third party certification schemes and other independently verified evidence comply with the government’s requirements for its timber supplies. It will also provide guidance for officials and suppliers.
Mr Meacher was responding to a question from Norman Baker MP about what action the government is taking about the recommendations of consultants Environmental Resources Management into the sourcing of legal and sustainable timber.
