WRITTEN QUESTION E-3053/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 October 2002)

Subject: Forestry development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

In its Communication entitled Forests and Development: the EC approach(1), the Commission states that the European Community feels a particular sense of responsibility for the sustainable development of the world's forestry resources. The following forestry specific objectives in particular are therefore proposed: (i) reduced uncontrolled deforestation and forest degradation; (ii) increased extent of areas under sustainable forest management; () (iv) maintained genetic resources and bio-diversity; and (v) improved capacity of institutional frameworks to meet conflicting demands on forests.

In its answer to Written Question E-3498/01(2), the Commission states that a Zimbabwean company has managed to pull off the world's largest logging concession, and that this clearly provides a very strong disincentive to withdrawal from military intervention.

In its answer to Written Question E-0930/02(3), the Commission considers that in the absence of any sound national forestry policy, a sustainable management plan should be adopted and implemented in order to ensure the sustainability of the Congolese logging concessions and limit the environmental damage of the exploitation. The answer also draws attention to a forthcoming final report by the six-member panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in DRC.

Does the Commission share the view that a logging concession of the above kind runs counter to its positions as set out in the Forests and Development Communication?

What is happening to the proceeds of the sale of tropical hardwood which, to judge from the answer to Written Question E-0930/02, might well give cause for concern?

Has the Commission meanwhile as its Forests and Development Communication indicates and the answers to two parliamentary questions presuppose acted to ensure that sustainable forestry management is put in place in the DRC? If so, how? If not, why not?

Has the Commission meanwhile examined the (interim) report by the six experts? How does it assess their findings?

(1) COM(1999) 554.

(2) OJ C 229 E, 26.9.2002, p. 27.

(3) OJ C 161 E, 10.7.2003, p. 6.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2002)

The Commission is very concerned by the award of a 33 million hectare forest concession in the DRC to a company with links to Zimbabwe's ruling party and military. The plunder of natural resources by various armies and militias has served to prolong war in the DRC. Misuse of natural resources in the DRC contradicts the principles of good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law set out in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, which forms the basis of the Union's relationship with African, Carribean and Pacific countries. The misuse of timber resources of course also runs counter to policy set out in the Commission's Communication on Forests and Development(1).

The United Nations (UN) report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo notes a link between mining revenues and the procurement of military hardware. It is likely that timber revenues are being used for a similar purpose, both within the DRC, and in other countries profiting from the plunder of DRC forests. Money laundering operations are closely associated with the criminal enterprises operating in the DRC, and this complicates the process of tracking revenues generated from the sale of plundered resources, including tropical hardwoods.

The United Nations expert panel recommends that Member States actively support the efforts by intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations at both the international and regional levels to halt illegal logging.

The Commission is providing substantial financial support to one such initiative, the Africa Ministerial Process for Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (AFLEG). The AFLEG initative is designed to build high level political commitment within Africa to address the problem of illegal logging. This initiative will also look specifically at conflict timber, which is used to fund repression and armed insurgency in the DRC and a number of other African countries. Complementary measures to close European markets to illegally harvested timber are also in preparation.

Commission support to the DRC has been disrupted by the armed conflict. With the situation now improving, co-operation will resume.

The 8th European Development Fund (EDF) allocates funds to support institutional strengthening and capacity building in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Institut Congolais de Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). Additional support for sustainable forest management could be made available through programming for the 9th EDF. Regional funds may also be available to support this goal.

The Commission has reviewed the final report prepared by the UN panel of five experts. This work greatly enhances understanding of the armed conflict in the DRC. The Commission will now closely consider the panel's recommendations and decide how best to support efforts to end the plunder of natural wealth in the DRC, and restore peace to the Congo Basin region.

(1) COM(1999) 554 final.