EUTR News – June to August 2017

This issue of the EUTR News provides an update on the operation of the EU’s law to address illegal logging, the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), from June to August 2017.

Analysis of gender impacts of the Ghana VPA with European Union

Fern commissioned this study of gender issues in Ghana’s FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement as a tentative first step to looking at gender issues which have to date received only scant attention.

Forest governance: how Indonesia and Vietnam are responding to illegal logging

Illegal logging and the associated trade is a major cause of deforestation and forest degradation globally. Indonesian and Vietnamese experts from the government, private and civil society sectors speak to Gitika Bhardwaj about the state of the trade in both southeast Asian countries.

VPAs give communities a confident voice

FLEGT VPAs are not just about delivering legal timber to the EU, but ensuring greater stakeholder participation in timber sector decision-making in supplier countries to the benefit of ordinary people. Mike Jeffree reports on progress in Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Liberia and Vietnam.

Lessons learned from independent forest monitoring in Africa

The nongovernmental organisation Fern and its partners in four African countries have reported how independent forest monitoring has had positive effects on forest governance. In a new brief, they share stories of impact and lessons they have learned.

APEC customs officials learn best practices for detecting illegal timber products

More than 100 customs, forestry, and anti-corruption officials and civil society representatives from countries in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum met in Vietnam from 18-19 August 2017 to share best practices for identifying illegal timber and wood products.

World’s largest set of forest-related risk assessments online

NEPCon has published the biggest and most detailed set of risk assessments for timber, palm oil, soy and beef. Among other things, the Sourcing Hub is intended to help companies meet the due diligence requirements of market regulation such as the EU Timber Regulation. It includes assessments of the risks of illegal timber production and trade in 62 countries, covering 87% of global timber production.

Briefing note on the implementation of the EU Timber Regulations, June 2017 - July 2017

Briefing note compiled by UNEP-WCMC as a consultant of the European Commission in close cooperation with the Member States Competent Authorities.

Independent forest monitoring evolves, aided by VPAs

FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements are aiding an evolution in the implementation and impacts of independent forest monitoring in West and Central Africa, according to a new brief by the consultancy Palladium International. The report is based on inputs from 19 civil society organisations and individuals, and it covers eight countries in West and Central Africa.

The FAO-EU FLEGT Programme launches a new call for concept notes in VPA countries

The FAO-EU FLEGT Programme is now accepting concept notes from government institutions, civil society, indigenous and tribal peoples, and private sector organizations in countries engaged in Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with the European Union. Grants up to USD 110 000 are available through the Programme to support ongoing VPA processes in targeted countries.