The Indonesian government has published a study on the implementation of forest law enforcement, governance, and trade (FLEGT) as part of efforts to support the eradication of illegal logging and boost legal timber trade. Source: ANTARA
“This study is expected to provide an overview of market acceptance, recognition, perception, and incentives, particularly the European market for FLEGT-licensed timber,” director general of sustainable forest management at the Environment and Forestry Ministry, Agus Justianto, said in a written statement.
Indonesia signed an FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union in September 2013 and became the first country to fully implement a FLEGT VPA by issuing the world’s first FLEGT license in November 2016.
According to Justianto, Indonesia and related parties have developed a national timber legality assurance scheme since 2003, namely the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), in response to global market demands.
In this context, the Indonesian government has initiated a study on the implementation of FLEGT and policy shifts in the global trade in forest products and other agricultural commodities related to aspects of deforestation and forest destruction, he said.
The study on FLEGT implementation is an important milestone in understanding global policies related to product legality and forest sustainability in forest products trade, he added.
The study provides an overview of developments in producing countries besides Indonesia on developing, negotiating, and implementing FLEGT VPA, especially in market country policies, he informed.
Justianto said the study is a follow-up to a high-level discussion between the Minister of Environment and Forestry and Indonesian ambassadors to European countries.
The study was carried out by a team from the University of Freiburg in Germany and the Sebijak Institute of Gajah Mada University, with financial support from the Indonesian Embassy for the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom government, he disclosed.
“The study is expected to provide information on how FLEGT VPA currently functions, particularly in Indonesia and Europe, what kind of steps in new demand-side policy measures (are) emerging in key markets, and what are the implications for producing countries such as Indonesia in the form of policies and frameworks in this new and evolving international law,” he said.
Justianto further said he hopes that the FLEGT VPA can be implemented consistently by both producing and consuming countries.
“Producing countries need to provide wider market recognition of the national system through partnerships that apply the principles of mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual benefit for the parties involved,” he added.
