The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has published its latest briefing note on the implementation of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), which covers the period March to April 2019. The briefing opens with an announcement of the publication by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) of a report detailing the NGO’s investigation into the ‘Dejia Group’ – a Chinese timber conglomerate operating in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. Source: Timberbiz
It reports on the FLEGT/EUTR Expert Group meeting that took place in Brussels, Belgium, on 30 April 2019. The briefing then provides updates on implementation of the EUTR in Sweden and the UK.
It also highlights the release by UNEP-WCMC of the 4th report on checks performed by EUTR Competent Authorities (April 2018).
On illegal logging and timber trade, the briefing provides an overview of reports by Global Witness, including on risk of illegal timber from the Republic of the Congo, timber imports from Vietnam and China, and China’s timber trade.
It also mentions a report on illegal imports of teak from Myanmar, a TRAFFIC project to reduce illegal trade in tropical timber, and the launch by the EU FLEGT Facility of a multi-lingual timber buyers’ webpage.
Among legislation and policy updates, the briefing draws attention to the release by the European Commission of a summary of the public consultation on deforestation and forest degradation.
It also reports on legal developments in Ghana and Indonesia, as well as the February-March meeting of the Joint Implementation Committee overseeing the implementation of Liberia’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU.
The briefing note was compiled by UNEP-WCMC as a consultant of the European Commission in close cooperation with the Member States Competent Authorities.
The briefing note is available at
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/pdf/Briefing%20note%20March-April%202019_public.pdf
