The International Organisation for Environmental Protection (WWT) has issued a detailed repport regarding illegal wood imports and exports inside the EU. In this context, France is more than a negative example, occupying the 6th place among european countries regarding illegal imports.
Inside the EU, imports from illegal exploitation come mainly from Asian countries such as: China, Indonesia, Russia. Thus, the wood and wood products quanties imported by the Union are enormous. For example, in 2006 alone, 40% of the products supllied by South Asia, 30 % from Latin America and alomost 36% from Africa came from illegal or supposed illegal sources.
Under these circumstrances, an entire series of negative effects, as well as channed natural catastrophes take place in the whole ecosistem, shaped as floods, land slidings or unprecedented climatic changes. Last but not least, illegal cutting in large quantities leads to a decrease in prices, affecting both loyal competition and direct producers. The top importers are Finland with 4.5 million m³, followed by Great Britain with 3.5 million m³. There is no doubt, that, concerning an eficient management, the EU has great gaps. WWP is demanding the issue of a communitary law which would guarantee a legal supply of wood inside the EU.
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