Common sense prevails in new EU illegal logging law
Autore: David Venables in Environment
I am always apprehensive when it comes to the regulation of business practice, especially at European level. But this time it appears common sense has prevailed. The European Commission's proposed "illegal logging legislation" has been approved by parliament and while sending a clear message that trade in illegal wood is no longer acceptable, it should actually be realistic for the wood industry to implement. Some environmental radicals, with limited knowledge of the timber sector, wanted full legality licensing for all wood products regardless of whether or not they originate from a low risk source. This would have been virtually impossible to implement and with cost implications making it even harder for wood to compete with other building materials that unfairly have no such pressure to demonstrate legality. But the good news is that "due diligence" and "risk assessment" will form a key part of the new legislation. This is particularly good news for the American hardwood industry who have produced independent research to demonstrate that the US hardwood resource and industry is legal and sustainable. Want to know more go to www.americanhardwood.org