Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Paragraph: 51
Current UK regulation proves insufficient for limiting non-sustainable deforestation impacts.
Conclusion
Current UK regulation is not sufficient when it comes to limiting non-sustainable deforestation. It relies too heavily on the laws in exporting countries and an assumption that that these laws will incorporate adequate provision for sustainability: as currently drafted the Regulations take control of the UK’s impact on sustainable timber production out of the UK’s hands.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government commits to publishing guidance on the application of the Schedule 17 regime for the financial sector when secondary legislation is laid, and HM Treasury will conduct a review to assess the regulation of illegal deforestation financing.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
51
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
Illegal logging is a major driver of deforestation, leading to loss of biodiversity, and contributing to climate change. It also damages rural communities and results in revenue loss for governments and legitimate businesses. By imposing greater responsibility on those placing timber and timber products on the UK market for the first time, our regulations support the embedding of sustainability standards in national requirements in origin countries, working towards legally backed forest stewardship. The United Kingdom Timber Regulations (UKTR) prohibit the placing of illegally harvested timber on the market. Under the Withdrawal Act, UKTR applies to GB. Businesses must exercise due diligence on timber imports to demonstrate legality of harvest. The Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulations and associated Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA), aim to improve the supply of verified legal timber to the UK market. Producer countries who have agreed a VPA with the UK and can demonstrate effective nationwide controls verifying legality of harvest, can issue FLEGT licences. We plan to commence a review of the Timber Regulations in 2024. Full details of arrangements for engaging with stakeholders for this review will be announced in due course.
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