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 November to December 2018.
The briefing opens with an update on Ukraine. It highlights the steps taken by the country to address illegalities in the forestry sector, as well as allegations against the Government and private companies of illegal logging.
It then summarises recent EUTR enforcement actions and related activities in Denmark, Germany, Portugal and the United Kingdom. It also describes the release of a new tool to identify timber from Asia used in paper and fibreboards.
On illegal logging and timber trade, the briefing highlights a report by Global Witness on logging in the Solomon Islands, and claims by Timberleaks that a large flooring retailer in the United States is still buying from scandal-hit Brazilian firm.
Among legislation and policy updates, the briefing reports on the FLEGT/EUTR Expert Group meeting, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, on 7 December 2018. The Expert Group discussed updates on EUTR implementation, including substantiated concerns received by some EU Member States on timber from Brazil and Myanmar/Burma.
It also reports on the signing by Vietnam and the EU of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in October 2018, and the initialling by Guyana and the EU of their VPA in November 2018.
The briefing note was compiled by UNEP-WCMC as a consultant of the European Commission in close cooperation with the Member States Competent Authorities.
To view or download the full briefing note please visit: UNEP-WCMC briefing note
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