US government officials and timber trade representatives have signalled their concern about EU moves to overhaul wood procurement regulations at a meeting with their UK counterparts.

The Americans expressed fears that deforestation in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia and parts of Africa may lead to procurement policies being developed which interfere with free trade.

The meeting, an information sharing exercise, was held at the US Embassy, London, and attended by representatives from the American Forest and Paper Association, the US state department and office of the environment and natural resources.

UK representatives included Mark O’Brien, head of public affairs at The Timber Trade Federation; John Hudson, senior forestry adviser at the department for international development; and timber industry consultant Michael Buckley.

&#8220We do not want procurement policy to discriminate against developing countries”

Mark O’Brien, TTF‘s head of public affairs

Mr O’Brien described it as a “positive” meeting with much common interest in both camps. The TTF’s Code of Conduct and the UK government’s timber procurement policy were also discussed.

He said: “We do not want procurement policy to discriminate against developing countries, or indeed any other country, which do not have sustainably certified resources.”

UK companies present included Timbmet, Pacific Lumber Services and Canada Pacific Ltd.