Ways forward with EU FLEGT

1. Ways forward with EU FLEGT FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

2. Understanding the problem • Large, widespread and complex; • Illegal within framework of sustainable forest management; • Goes beyond law enforcement: governance issues must be addressed. FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

3. Partnership agreements • Bad Partnership agreement • does Nothing • legitimises illegitimate practices • Good Partnership agreement can • tackle illegal logging • move towards SFM and social justice FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

4. What principles re process? • Assessing all existing legislation • Fully inclusive stakeholder process to define legality • Time bound action programme, including milestones and conditions adopted by civil society groups FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

5. What principles re licensing • Deal with all timber products • Deal with all exports • Criteria for verification and monitoring FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

6. More is needed…… • New legislation: • Possible: based on existing legislation; • WTO proof; • Non discriminatory; • Fits within the existing EU thinking; • Puts responsibility on the importing party. FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

7. Conclusion • Both voluntary approach (VPAs) and developing new legislation are needed; • VPAs can and should improve governance and hence contribute to solving problems; • Full participation of civil society is absolutely essential condition; • Making importing parties accountable for imports by adopting new legislation FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network

8. Thank you FERN Forests and the European Union Resource Network