Defra to announce certification review “before Christmas”

Minister for the environment Barry Gardiner expects to announce a decision before the end of 2006 on which certification schemes will continue to meet the criteria laid down by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET).

In a written parliamentary answer, Mr Gardiner said the results of the CPET review into five certification schemes will be published before the end of 2006. A Defra spokesperson later said a decision would be announced “before Christmas”.

Mr Gardiner was responding to a question posed by Andy Reed MP, who asked whether the government intended to use the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes as a system providing assurance that timber has been sourced from sustainably managed forests.

PEFC is currently accepted by the government as providing evidence of legal and sustainable timber, though the system has been on probation since August, 2005.

The CPET Advisory Board met on November 27 to discuss the results of the review. A final decision will be taken by Defra.

The PEFC Council has said it is “hopeful” that PEFC will be considered as providing assurance of legal and sustainable timber.