Ghana will become the first country which will provide guarantees on the export of "legal timber"in accordance with new laws.
Since the EU has adopted the new legislation and a 7 year action plan on forestry, negotiations have begun between the EU and supplying countries. The key element is the obligation for importers to show "due diligence", proving that they did not purchase illegal wood. If the timber is produced in accordance with local laws and regulations, the EU will accept it as legal.
Ghana, the first to sign the agreement
EU is negotiating agreements with its "traditional"suppliers. Ghana was the first to sign such an agreement followed by Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Beginning with early next year Ghana will begin selling timber under FLEGT license. Beko Kingsley, a specialist in forestry problems from Ghana NGO Civic Response stressed the importance of signing the agreement for this country. "Approximately 60% of our timber exports reach European markets. EU and U.S. markets have begun to solicitate legal timber. Thus, those who will not sign such an agreement stand to lose their market share. »
Negotiations began with Malawi, Indonesia, Liberia and the Republic of Central Africa; Gabon, Congo and Vietnam have already started discussions.
Source: www.news.google.com |
