FEBO deputy secretary-general Sabine Heyman told the forum in Geneva that the timber trade had the experience to meet market procurement demands.
FEBO said it was important to attend the meeting and explain the trade’s position in order to contribute to a better understanding of the situation and measures needed.
The association described public procurement policies as an ideal tool in the fight against illegal logging.
But it said policies should be transparent, include full consultation, be based on measurable and objective criteria, as well as simple and easy to apply.
“A harmonisation of the different public procurement policies is therefore an absolute necessity,” FEBO said. “If harmonisation is not achieved, trade barriers will be established.”
