Greenpeace statement on the European Parliament environment committee vote on the EU timber law

"The European Parliament just sent the Commission and EU agriculture ministers a very clear signal: substantial improvements are required to transform this timber law into an effective and credible tool to fight illegal forest destruction," said Sébastien Risso, Greenpeace EU forest policy director.

"As the international community is discussing ways to reduce the impact of deforestation on climate change, the EU must show the way by adopting strict rules for timber markets," said Risso.

Deforestation and forest degradation are responsible for wide-scale species extinction, the breach of indigenous rights and contributes one-fifth of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Greenpeace revealed in 2007 that tropical timber from unknown and uncertified sources was used in the refurbishment of several EU buildings, proving that even the institutions are unable to determine the origin of timber sold in Europe. (1)

"The Parliament committee has supported an EU law that makes the timber industry accountable and sets up an effective system to control the legal origin of wood. MEPs have highlighted the urgent need for Europe to reduce its environmental and social footprint on the world's forests," said Risso.

Greenpeace calls on the Parliament to adopt the environment committee's recommendations for the EU timber law in its plenary session on 23 April. Agriculture ministers are expected to adopt a common position before the end of the Czech EU Presidency in June.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

A briefing on the Commission proposal for the timber law can be found at: http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/policy-papers-briefings/eu-timber-law-council-ep-debate-19-01-09

A joint Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and WWF press release can be found at: http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/press-releases2/meps-must-improve-timber-law090216

Other contacts:

Sebastien Risso – Greenpeace EU forest policy director: +32 (0)2 274 1 901, +32 (0)496 12 70 09 (mob.),
Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager: +32 (0)2 274 1 903, +32 (0)496 15 62 29 (mob.),

Notes:

(1) http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/press-releases2/illegal-rainforest-timber-like.