Briefing: Developments relevant to the implementation and enforcement of the EU Timber Regulation, April 2017 to June 2017

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

Myanmar commits to address gaps in timber legality assurance system for improved forest governance

The Government of Myanmar has committed to improving the country’s timber legality assurance system following the release of a report that analysed the “gaps” in the system in the context of internationally recognised principles, requirements and best practices.

EU Forest Watch Special considers the future of FLEGT

LoggingOff and Fern released a special that considers the future of FLEGT.

EU and Congo assess progress towards timber legality verification and other VPA goals

The Republic of the Congo and the European Union held the sixth meeting of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in Brazzaville on 17 and 22 May 2017.

FLEGT roadmap launched in the Philippines

Forest stakeholders in the Philippines have agreed on a ‘FLEGT roadmap’ to improve forest law enforcement, governance and trade through 2020. The plans were finalised at the first meeting of the Technical Working Group on Wood, whose members are from the government, civil society and the private sector.

Cameroon punishes illegal loggers and administration staff exposed by independent forest monitors

Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) has raided companies, issued fines, suspended logging authorisations and opened court cases in response to recent reports by independent forest monitors there.

EU and Vietnam conclude VPA negotiations

On 11 May 2017, the EU and Vietnam formally concluded their negotiations towards a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), by initialling the document.

EIA warns of illegal timber trade between Cambodia and Vietnam

EIA’s new report highlights ongoing illegal timber trade between Cambodia and Vietnam.

EU and Liberia aim to intensify VPA implementation

Representatives of the EU and Liberia have identified ways to boost implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), which aims to address illegal logging, improve forest governance and promote trade in legal timber products.

Laos and EU hold first face-to-face VPA negotiations

The European Union and Laos held their first negotiations towards a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) to improve forest governance, address illegal logging and promote trade in legal timber products, when they met on 24-28 April in Vientiane.