INTERNATIONAL TIMBER TRADE FEDERATION DAY - GENEVA - 6-8 OCTOBER 2010

Major Timber Trade Conference discusses how to prevent deforestation by promoting legal

and sustainable timber

October 13, 2010, GENEVA:

Twenty-four timber trade associations representing 35 different countries and 10 global forest

companies attended the International Timber Trade Federation Day in Geneva from 6-8 October 2010

to discuss how to increase demand for legal and sustainable timber to prevent illegal logging and

forests being converted into agricultural land.

The event was organised by the Forest Trust and financed by the Timber Trade Action Plan Project,

The European Forest Institute and UK Aid from the Department of International Development. The

conference provided a forum for discussion and presented practical ideas and initiatives to improve

the marketing and promotion of legal and sustainable timber in order to increase its visibility, highlight

its social and environmental benefits and boost its market demand.

These discussions were needed to bridge the disconnect between price-sensitive demand and high

costs related to legal and sustainable production, which has so far limited responsible timber to niche

markets.

This has discouraged producers and particularly those in countries with weak forest governance

systems for whom the relative effort of achieving legality or sustainability certification is substantially

higher compared to counterparts in Europe or North America.

The EU construction sector being the most important market sector for timber and timber products

and using up to 70% of all timber consumed in the EU, it consequently has a major role to play in the

promotion of legal and sustainable timber.

Wood should be given more recognition in green building rating schemes to help avoid alternative and

less sustainable materials like concrete and steel receiving more recognition. Timber Trade

Federations were advised to make a joint effort to promote the use of legal and sustainable timber in

Green Building Rating systems and to make sure implementation of purchasing policies and

legislations is done properly. For only by promoting and boosting the market demand for legal and

responsible timber will producers see the benefits of good forest management and go for it.

Illegal logging is one of the major causes of deforestation, which is itself responsible for approximately

15% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions which fuel climate change. The loss of forests, currently

estimated at 13 million hectares per year, also critically threatens biodiversity and forest dependent

people around the world. In many countries, the scale of illegal logging is estimated to be equal to or

even greater than legally permitted forest activities. With so much illegal wood on the market, the

competitiveness of the legitimate forest industry is challenged and national economies are prevented

from receiving their due royalties.

The World Bank estimates US$5 billion is lost in tax revenues on legally logged wood. It has also

been estimated that prices in US and EU markets are depressed between 7 and 16% due to the trade

of illegally wood products.

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The 3rd ITTFD was convened by The Forest Trust (TFT) through the Timber Trade Action Plan.

About The Forest Trust

Established in 1999, TFT is a global non-profit organisation helping companies and communities

deliver Responsible Products. Responsible Products improve peoples’ lives and respect the

environment at all stages of the product lifecycle.

Our main focus is to help companies transform their supply chains, providing solutions to

deforestation and empowering forest dependent communities. With offices in 13 countries, we’re

working on the ground in forests, farms and factories using our expertise to address embedded social

and environmental supply chain issues. With a strong focus on natural resource management and

traceability we give our members objective insight into the realities of their supply chains and the

practical support they need to create Responsible Products. TFT’s membership of over 80 companies

represents a broad spectrum of leading retailers and suppliers in Europe, USA, Asia, Africa and

Oceania.

Visit www.tft-forests.org/ for more information.

TFT manages the Timber Trade Action Plan (TTAP), which works with suppliers in Africa, Asia, China

and South America to help build capacity and enable producers to supply verified legal timber to the

European market. The project is co‐funded by the European Commission, participating timber trade

federations and their members. Visit www.tft-forests.org/ttap/.