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Australia follows EU illegal timber move
10.08.2010	Send to a friend     Contact us
Following the European Union's decision to ban the import and sale of illegally-logged timber, the Australian government is making a similar move. The country's forestry minister Tony Burke promised to make it a criminal office to sell wood that has been sourced unlawfully, or to bring it in. All 27 EU member states recently approved an illegal timber veto, which will come into force from 2012 onwards. Under the European deal, companies importing and selling timber will have to carry out due diligence to determine where and how the trees were felled. Those that fail to comply could be hit with fines and trading bans. Similar requirements would exist under the Australian model, with punishments issued for non-compliance. Greenpeace forestry campaigner Reece Turner told the Age newspaper: "We urge the coalition to support this policy and to help turn it into law." It is estimated that around ten per cent of wood products imported into Australia are sourced illegally. This news item is brought to you by KMS Baltics in conjunction with Fest-Forest and EST KINNISVARA. Baltic forestry and property specialists Click here to find out more about Timber Investment with us http://www.kms.ee/index.php?page=75& or call us on 00441668 213693

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