WWF positions on FLEGT

WWF welcomes the recognition by the European Commission that illegal logging is a serious problem which needs be addressed by the EU.

WWF believes that the actions recommended by the FLEGT Action Plan, if well implemented, would be a significant contribution to combating illegal logging and related trade.

However, with regard to ensuring effective implementation of the objectives in the FLEGT Action Plan, WWF calls on the EU and European Governments to:

• Implement new EU-wide legislation outlawing the import of illegal timber and wood products to the EU:
• Take action with regard to the problems of illegal logging in new EU member states and in EU Accession Countries;
• Implement Public Procurement Policies to ensure that all wood products procured by public institutions in Europe are legally and sustainably produced;
• Continue the dialogue with wood producing countries with the aim of establishing voluntary partnership agreements between the EU and key wood producing countries;
• Work with key timber consuming governments outside of the EU to eliminate the trade in illegal and unsustainable timber and wood products; and
• Ensure that any FLEGT partnership agreement is based upon principles of sustainable and equitable forest management, including support of a representative range of non-state actors and provisions for independent, third party verification of legality in timber producing countries and credible chain of custody systems.

The support and active involvement of the EU governments in the adoption and implementation of measures to implement the FLEGT Action Plan is crucial. This is the background for WWF's development of this Government Barometer on EU actions against illegal logging.