In May 2003 the European Commission presented an EU Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade1 which included a proposal for a licensing scheme aimed at preventing the import into the EU of illegally logged timber. In July 2004, the Commission presented a draft regulation2 that establishes the import regime and provides for partnership agreements with exporting countries within which national licensing systems will be developed and implemented. Partnership agreements will be negotiated by the Commission on the basis of a mandate given to it by the Council.

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