The British Environment Minister has revealed that around 7% of Britain's imported timber is illegally sourced and transported. This is despite Britain's supposed "green" policy towards the timber trade. 2012 is expected to herald a ban on illegal timber throughout the EU.
North America and the Baltic region are the biggest producers of softwood timber. Softwood timber comes from conifer trees and is thought to constitute around 80% of the world's production of timber. Protected areas and endangered species are just some of the things threatened by the illegal logging industry.
Due to the extent of the problem, with WWF estimating that around 40% of timber is sourced from illegally logged forests, the EU is using its collective might to crack down on offenders. The situation is serious, with worrying environmental factors such as climate change a risk of reduced tree deforestation, as well as the potential collapse of societies dependent on the forest for employment or nutrition.
The EU began their campaign in 2008 but suffered setbacks after protracted legal wrangling over the issue. This year, after two years of intense negotiating, legislators finally reached a compromise that will enforce a crackdown on illegal dealers in Europe's markets.
2012 will see the criminalisation of the illegal timber trade in Europe as EU states promise to impose strict financial penalties. The new law states penalties should represent "at least five times the value of the timber products obtained by committing a serious infringement". Those buying wood from merchants will be required to check it is from a legal source or face consequences themselves.
The new law aims to curb the excesses of illegal timber trafficking. Only time will tell if the new measures work, but already environmentalist groups such as Greenpeace and WWF are calling for an even stricter law.
North America and the Baltic region are the biggest producers of softwood timber. Softwood timber comes from conifer trees and is thought to constitute around 80% of the world's production of timber. Protected areas and endangered species are just some of the things threatened by the illegal logging industry.
Due to the extent of the problem, with WWF estimating that around 40% of timber is sourced from illegally logged forests, the EU is using its collective might to crack down on offenders. The situation is serious, with worrying environmental factors such as climate change a risk of reduced tree deforestation, as well as the potential collapse of societies dependent on the forest for employment or nutrition.
The EU began their campaign in 2008 but suffered setbacks after protracted legal wrangling over the issue. This year, after two years of intense negotiating, legislators finally reached a compromise that will enforce a crackdown on illegal dealers in Europe's markets.
2012 will see the criminalisation of the illegal timber trade in Europe as EU states promise to impose strict financial penalties. The new law states penalties should represent "at least five times the value of the timber products obtained by committing a serious infringement". Those buying wood from merchants will be required to check it is from a legal source or face consequences themselves.
The new law aims to curb the excesses of illegal timber trafficking. Only time will tell if the new measures work, but already environmentalist groups such as Greenpeace and WWF are calling for an even stricter law.
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