Twenty percent of timber in Europe is illegally imported. That figure may be slashed if the Parliament secures agreement with the Council and Commission. Legal and illegal deforestation account for 20% of CO2 emissions.

Cutting back on illegal logging

The timber trade is finally subject to   strict EU laws, or at least it will be.

MEPs have voted to improve control   of wood imports and trade in Europe.

20% of imports to Europe   are thought to be illegal.

Some 3.5 million people in the EU   depend on the export and import of wood.

Paul Wagheneire is one of them.   He imports timber from 28 countries.

If we have to obtain legal proof of origin,

which is verified on the ground,   it should be done in the producer country.

The report voted in Parliament is tougher   than the Commission's initial proposal.

Until now, a customs document   issued in the exporting country

MEPs are demanding   maximum traceability.

The strictest demands   are on those who first place

the timber and products   in the European market.

So they have to take measures,   the so-called due diligence measures,

to make certain that they know   the origin of the timber.

If timber is illegal,   financial penalties will be imposed.

The environment is also at stake   as legal and illegal deforestation

are responsible for almost 20%   of CO2 emissions.

Every day we lose means   the loss of yet more forests.

To reiterate, the figure released by   the FAO is horrifying.

40 million hectares of primary forest   have disappeared over the past ten years.

If the EP, Council and Commission   reach agreement

the plenary vote   should take place in July.