§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what areas were identified under the G8 programme of action on forests where the United Kingdom needed to improve its performance to combat the trade in illegally harvested timber; [56671]
(2) what action the United Kingdom (a) has taken and (b) intends to take to follow up the G8 action programme on forests, agreed at the Birmingham G8 meeting in 1998; [56672]
(3) what work has been taken, under the G8 action programme of action on forests by the United Kingdom to develop and implement counter measures against the trade in illegally harvested timber. [56674]
§ Clare ShortThe UK led the G8 work on illegal logging in the 1998 action plan. The G8 report on the action programme on forests will be published in the run-up to the G8 meeting in Canada. It identifies the actions that have been taken by G8 members to combat illegal logging and associated trade. The UK has taken many actions to support measures by timber producing countries to control illegal logging. These include access to better information and analysis, establishment of monitoring and verification processes and policy and institutional reforms.
Internationally we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia that commits both parties to work together to combat illegal logging and stop the trade in illegally logged timber between our countries. This important bilateral agreement for joint action by producer and consumer countries is the first of its kind. It is highly influential and is acting as a catalyst for the development of further agreements.
In addition to our work within the G8 action programme we are working within the EU and with international organisations to broaden the base of countries engaged in actions to control illegal logging. The EU is developing an action programme that is examining the need for new legislation to provide effective enforcement. The UK, with others, is supporting a forest law enforcement process in Africa that will learn from the successful process started in Asia last year. We need to demonstrate progress with bilateral agreements and build these into regional and multilateral arrangements.
Domestically the Government now requires all Departments to seek to procure only legally and sustainably harvested timber and wood products.