The EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action plan was adopted in 2003 as a policy response to address deforestation and promote good forest governance and the trade in legal timber on the EU market. Developing and implementing Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) between the EU and timber-producing countries are central in the EU FLEGT approach. In the ASEAN region, the EU is negotiating such VPAs with Malaysia, Indonesia and will soon start negotiation with Vietnam, whereas the Lao Government expressed interest in the potential to for developing a Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) that would meet the requirement of a VPA at some future time. VPAs detail the commitments and actions from both parties to halt trade in illegal timber, notably with a Government backed licensing scheme to guarantee the legality of timber. The agreements also promote better enforcement of forest law and promote an inclusive approach involving civil society and the private sector.
In July 2010 the European Parliament approved the "EU Timber Regulation". This legislation is expected to be adopted by the Council later this year and will be operational by the end of January 2013 at the latest. From that date onwards, timber operators and businesses, including Thai exporters of timber products, on the EU market need to be able to demonstrate and verify the source and legal status of timber material purchased or placed on the market for sale.
Implication for the Thai Timber industry are that by the end of January 2013 at the latest, timber products destined for the EU market should be guaranteed legally harvested. Timber imported into Thailand for manufacturing and possible export to the EU market will require a legality assurance system, otherwise it cannot be sold on the EU market.
For more information regarding EU Timber Regulation
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