On July 7th members of the European Parliament voted to approve a new law to keep illegal wood and wood products out of all European markets.

PROTECTION

The WWF reports that after many years of campaigning for better protection of the world’s forests through a strict law on illegal timber trade ,they are very pleased with the decision. The EU’s Satu Hassi, a Finnish member who steered the law through the EU assembly in Strasbourg proclaimed;

“It is a breakthrough…Tackling illegal logging is very important for climate protection.”

Under the law, companies which first sell timber in the EU are obliged to prove that it is sourced legally. It also requires European businesses elsewhere in the supply chain to keep records that, as a whole, would allow timber to be traced back to the importing company or to the forest owner

The law is set to come into effect in two years. While this is an excellent step toward protecting the world’s vulnerable timber supplies, there are a few disappointments, like the fact that  printed products  are currently exempt from the list and the fact that the EU has not set any minimum penalties or sanctions for offenders. Hopefully, proportionate consequences will be forthcoming and those who are offending will be caught out or deterred from continuing.

There are various members of the EU parliament who have been looking forward to finalizing this decision. Sellers and distributers are now going to be accountable for the products they sell and the onus is on them to prove that the wood products are responsibly sourced. If you would like to help the WWF continue to pursue fair legislation that helps to protect the planet, why not join up with the WWF today?