The UK Department of International Development (DFID) has awarded a grant to fund environment-related projects at the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF).
The money will partly be used to help the ETTF develop an “EU-wide solution” for the timber sector to implement the EU Timber Regulation, which comes into force in 2013 to cut the risk of illegal-timber entering the European market.
ETTF secretary-general Andre de Boer said the funds will also be used to help the ETTF “advocate timber trade requirements within climate change initiatives such as the UN’s REDD+ programme (Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
“The timber trade is part of the solution to help retain forests,” said Mr de Boer. “ETTF represents 12 key importing countries, accounting for around 90% of tropical timber imports, so we can have a major impact in supporting the market, benefiting both our members and producer countries.”
He said that the ETTF had also taken on Rachel Butler, former head of sustainability at the UK Timber Trade Federation, to “support the grant implementation”.
“Rachel brings timber trade and development experience and a network of international contacts within industry, NGOs and governments,” said Mr de Boer.
DFID senior forestry adviser Penny Davies said that the UK grant was jointly funded by the Departments for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Climate Change.
“Sustainable development and poverty reduction are paramount to DFID,” she said. “Forests are key to poor people’s livelihoods, generating employment, and a sound, responsible timber trade helps meet these objectives.”
