WRITTEN QUESTION E-1539/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Illegal timber imports

Would the Commission clarify what provisions currently exist to prevent the import of illegal timber into the EU?

Does the Commission intend to propose new legislation to prevent the import of illegal timber into the EU and if so, does the Commission have a timetable for any new proposals?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2002)

The only provisions preventing the import of illegally harvested timber into the Community currently in force are those contained in the regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The provisions of CITES are implemented in the Community by Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein(1) and by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1808/2001 of 30 August 2001 laying down detailed rules concerning the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97(2). Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 provides for stricter rules than the Convention and introduction into the Community of species listed in the Annexes is only allowed if the documents required (import permits for species listed in Annexes A and B; import notification and additional documents for species listed in Annexes C and D) can be presented to the customs office at the point of introduction. A number of timber species, including Pericopsis elata (Assemala), Guaiacum officinale (Lignum-vitae), Gonystylus macrophyllum (Ramin) and Swietenia macrophylla (Brazilian Mahogany) are listed in these Annexes.

The Commission's Communication to the Council and the Parliament(3) provided that the Community would develop a European Union action plan

by end 2002 on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT) to combat illegal logging and associated illegal trade and to strengthen international co-operation to address violations of forest law, and forest crime.

The Commission has been working on this since September 2001, and in particular organised a workshop in April 2002, to which a wide range of stakeholders and other interested parties were invited (experts from the Member States, other main wood-producing and importing countries: China, Japan, United States, Canada, Indonesia, Ghana, ; non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the forest industries). The workshop produced consensus amongst those present on legality identification and verification of wood production which could help lead to proposals for inter alia: a legality licence for import to the Community; due diligence for banks, Export Credit Agencies and other financing institutions; proper procurement for public contracts and other matters pertaining to the legal procurement of wood products into the Community.

Following the workshop, the Commission is now in the process of setting up the FLEGT action plan covering all relevant aspects. The elaboration of programmes of co-operation with developing wood-producing countries, with their agreement, will form an essential part of this plan.

The Commission will present the FLEGT action plan before the end of this year. It should include proposals for the introduction of new Community legislation which legitimately prohibits the import of illegally-procured wood and wood products into the Community. The timetable for the introduction of new legislation will depend on the support of all relevant stakeholders and interested parties; and in particular the Parliament and the Member States in Council.

(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.

(2) OJ L 250, 19.9.2001.

(3) COM(2002) 82 final.