17 February 2009 - The European Parliament’s environment committee has today approved a report by UK Green MEP Caroline Lucas to strengthen Commission-proposed draft legislation on illegally sourced timber and timber products.

The South East MEP, who is also Green Party Leader, is the Green Group’s draftsperson on legislation to tackle the devastating environmental impact of deforestation. Following the vote, Dr Lucas MEP commented:

"I am delighted that my fellow MEPs have agreed to fundamental improvements to the proposed legislation addressing illegally-sourced timber. The Parliament has sent a very clear message to the Commission that the terms of this timber law must be toughened to make it an effective weapon in the fight against illegal deforestation.

"For many years, the EU has called for better measures against illegal timber, yet has continued to be one of the world’s biggest markets for it. Failure to ban the import of illegal timber has allowed forest resources to be plundered with devastating consequences.

"Between 20% and 40% of global industrial wood production is estimated to come from illegal sources. Biodiversity and forest-dependent peoples have paid the environmental and economic price, with deforestation and forest degradation directly resulting in species extinction, the breach of indigenous rights and the production of one-fifth of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change."

Dr Lucas continued: "The original measures proposed by the Commission were too little, too late. My report has insisted that all parts of the timber supply chain should be held responsible, not just the first one to place the timber on the EU market.

"Strong, independent monitoring and traceability requirements mean companies will have to give credible assurances on the origin of their timber. A comprehensive and harmonised system of penalties will also give real teeth to the legislation.

"With today’s vote, the EU has regained some of its environmental credibility. It must now move quickly to approve this strengthened legislation and begin to take long overdue action against the illegal timber trade to protect the world’s precious forests".

ENDS

Notes to Editors

- The European Parliament plenary vote on the report is expected to take place in April.