The work of our Forests team is about far more than trees and the protection of the Earth’s precious remaining forests – it also keeps a sharp watch on the issue of forest conversion for cash crops, especially palm oil, and on related human rights issues such as corruption, governance and land rights
An incredible document has landed on my desk, a policy position paper underpinning an article in the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) Summer 2018 Newsletter, which covered the views of a so-called ‘Large Yacht Industry Cluster’ regarding EU, US and Australian legislation on illegal timber
For those combatting transnational forest crime, the ability to identify and prevent stolen timber from import into domestic markets is a vital tool but for too long there has been no real international consensus as to how to judge whether timber has been legally acquired, leaving enforcement struggling to operate
It can be a little frustrating (if somewhat predictable) to see our findings dismissed out-of-hand by official mouthpieces for those governments we have cause to identify as either directly promoting harmful, even criminal, environmental policies or turning a blind eye to corruption on their watch
Last September, the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listed the entire genus of Dalbergia – more commonly known as rosewoods or redwoods – on its Appendix II, granting the species significantly higher protection through limiting trade
Most Chinese were unaware that across the globe in Johannesburg, South Africa, decisions passed at an international convention meeting will have long lasting impact on many industries in China, including the Hongmu furniture industry producing luxury reproductions made from endangered tree species such as rosewood