§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what advice his Department is giving to retailers, manufacturers, importers, architects, local authorities and other institutional users of tropical woods about the use of wood from unsustainable sources;
(2) if there are any plans to implement a code of conduct on the importation of non-sustainably produced tropical timber; and what initiatives are being taken to regulate the international trade in tropical timber;
(3) what action has been taken to encourage the development of markets for sustainable produced timber products; (4) what advice his Department is giving to local authorities and other institutional users of tropical woods about the use of wood from unsustainable sources;
(5) what plans there are to support initiatives aimed at regulating the international trade in tropical timber in such a way as to ensure that only timber from sustainable sources is imported into Europe.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Government believe that solutions to depletion of the tropical rain forests are likely to be found only on a global basis. We have therefore positively supported the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), whose objectives balance conservation and trade expansion and diversification. We believe that ITTO represents a suitable forum to consider and discuss the wide-ranging and complex issues involved, including the usage of sustainably produced timber. The Government hope that the ITTO will urgently address the questions of 533W sustainable utilisation and management of tropical forests (including achievement of generally accepted definitions in this area).