EU LACEY ACT TO ILLEGAL WOOD IMPORTS

EU agricultural ministers held discussions in December 2009 on proposed legislation that would oblige EU timber importers to ensure that wood does not come from illegal forestry.

The legislation is titled Due Diligence and details are so far limited.

However, several countries including the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands are pushing for prohibition on the placing of illegal timber on the EU market.

This would imply similar rules as in the US where the Lacey Act came in effect in 2008.

Under the Lacey Act, companies can be fined up to US$500,000 and individuals can face up to five years imprisonment for the importation of illegal timber and timber products.

Recently Gibson Guitars was raided by Federal agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who seized  illegally harvested rosewood from Madagascar, as well as guitars and computers from the Nashville-based company.

Similar EU legislation would be a major boost to campaign to stop illegal timber imports.

The current lack of legislation means that once illegally-harvested timber has left the country of origin and arrived in the EU it is technically legal.

A decision on the precise nature of the Due Diligence legislation is expected in spring 2010.

READ A REPORT ON THE US LACEY ACT (PDF)