Honduras and the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products. The agreement will ensure that all Honduran timber and timber products imported in the EU are legally sourced and licensed.
European Commissioner for international partnerships Jutta Urpilainen (left) and the Ambassador of Honduras Roberto Ochoa Madrid (right) signing the Honduras-EU VPA.
The Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) was signed on 23 February by the Portuguese Ambassador Nuno Brito, European Commissioner for international partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and the Ambassador of Honduras Roberto Ochoa Madrid. It will enter into force after each Party has ratified it in line with their internal procedures.
Honduras is the first Latin American country to sign a voluntary partnership agreement with the EU under the Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).
As per the agreement, Honduras will develop robust mechanisms to ensure locally produced timber is legally obtained. A timber legality assurance system will be set up to assess Honduran timber logging with requirements similar to the ones set in the EU Timber Regulation.
This process enhances the EU’s sustainable development and trade goals and will contribute to the broader objective of reducing illegal logging.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/VPA-Honduras-Jutta-Urpilainen-Roberto-Ochoa-Madrid.jpg542810Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2021-02-26 11:42:002022-01-27 11:47:08EU and Honduras agree deal to combat illegal logging, promote trade in legal timber
Ghana and the European Union (EU) have finalised an independent assessment of the legality assurance system described in the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on FLEGT between Ghana and the EU. The final report was shared with both parties on 31 December 2020, and they are now reviewing the findings and recommendations.
The assessment reviewed all aspects of Ghana’s licensing system to ascertain its fitness for purpose. The finalisation of the assessment is an important step in the VPA process, as it will inform the parties in their decision about Ghana’s readiness to issue FLEGT license.
The assessment concluded that the system was not ready. A major gap identified was the long-standing issue of conversion of extant leases to Timber Utilization Contracts, which requires the political approval of the Parliament to happen. Other gaps identified included the absence, or obsolescence, of forest management plans by the Forestry Commission, and the effective resolution of non-compliances associated with the supply chain.
Consequently, the assessment recommended that Ghana implement corrective actions to address the issues prior to launching the FLEGT licensing scheme.
Source: Forest & John Bitar & Co. Ltd.
Thanking the independent experts for their thorough analysis, the EU could not hide its disappointment in the failure of Ghana to start licensing. Ghana now has to work with resolve to crown its decade-long effort in the implementation of the VPA to address quickly all outstanding issues for FLEGT licensing.
“Ultimately, we expect FLEGT-licensed timber products to bring significant economic benefits to Ghana and its forestry sector, as they will automatically meet the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation”, said Ms Diana Acconcia, Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana.
On Ghana’s part, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, re-echoed the country position that “with the significant part of the Legality Assurance System (GhLAS) implementation behind us, Ghana’s remains committed to closing all identified gaps in order to come to the point of readiness for FLEGT licensing”.
The Ghana-EU Joint Monitoring Review Mechanism (JMRM), the joint committee overseeing the implementation of the agreement, will determine next steps based on the report. The next JMRM meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 2021.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/man-measure-forest-timber.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2021-02-12 07:54:002022-05-11 13:19:49Ghana and EU finalise assessment of Ghana Timber Legality Assurance System
Cameroon has become one of the first African countries to require the use of legal wood and timber in all its public procurement procedures. From now on, operators engaged in construction or public purchases in connection with wood by-products will have to prove the legal origin of the wood used. The new joint decree was signed on December 15, 2020 by Cameroonian ministers in charge of Forestry, Public Works, and Public Contracts.
Sawn wood transport. Source: Indra van Gisbergen, Fern
The public sector is Cameroon’s main wood and furniture buyer, using at least 13 000 cubic metres per year for infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and other public facilities. However, sawn timber from legal sources and supplying the domestic market is estimated at only 27% of the total volume of timber in circulation in the country’s main markets, according to a study by the Center for International Forestry Research. The remaining 73% of wood supplied to the domestic market and its operators is illegal.
This situation is expected to soon change following the publication on December 15, 2020 of a new interministerial decree. The text, jointly signed by the ministries of Forests and Fauna, Public Works and Public Markets, introduces a legality clause to all public procurement procedures requiring the use of sawn wood and wood products.
Operators engaged in construction or public procurement in connection with wood by-products will from now on have to prove the legal origin of wood used. The Ministry of Forests will be responsible for ensuring availability of legal wood and compliance with this provision when acquiring equipment and developing infrastructure. The Ministry of Public Procurement must include this provision in tender documents, and the Ministry of Public Works will oversee the implementation of the decree overall.
Through a public communication, the Ministry of Forests stated that “this economic text is a major step in the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement for the Legal Timber Trade (VPA-FLEGT) in the country. The objective is to limit the impact of informal activities on the economic performance of the forestry sector. The State’s objective is also to limit the import of timber products. This will boost the further processing industry that has, for over a decade now, been the weaker point of public policy”.
As a result of this initiative, “the State shall no longer contribute to illegal logging through its public procurement practices”, stated a representative of the Ministry of Forests.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/sawn-wood-transport-indra-van-gisbergen-fern.jpg542810Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2021-02-04 11:53:002022-01-27 11:57:59Cameroon achieves a new milestone in promoting legal wood
In Ghana, traditional customs and practices – such as ‘taboo’ days when no one enters the forest – have helped to protect forests through the ages. But these practices have not always been respected, with some timber companies logging in areas adjacent to communities even on sacred days.
Stephen Kwame Paddy, Chain of Custody manager at Logs and Lumber Limited. Source: Logs and Lumber Limited
Companies have also begun to see advantages in building a positive relationship with communities living in the areas where they operate. “We realised that the more we engaged with communities, the easier our work became,” said Stephen Kwame Paddy, Chain of Custody manager at Logs and Lumber Limited, one of Ghana’s biggest timber companies. “We started to understand their frustrations and their needs… this made our work easier.”
The adoptions of SRAs was in part driven by Ghana’s implementation of its Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the European Union. As part of the Agreement, Ghana started paying added attention to the implementation of laws and regulations applicable to forest operations, including those focusing on SRAs.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/stepeh-kwame-paddy-chain-custody-manager-ghana.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2020-12-14 07:38:002022-05-23 07:43:47Ghana’s forest management makes strides through Social Responsibility Agreements
The Republic of the Congo and the EU have released a joint report on progress in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement from January to December 2019.
Volumes (m3 round wood equivalent) of Congolese wood products imported by the EU, 2004-2019. Source: https://stats.flegtimm.eu
The report describes progress made with the timber legality assurance system, institutional improvements, stakeholder engagement, communication, transparency and monitoring of the agreement.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/volumes-produits-bois-congolais-importes-par-UE-2004-2019.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2020-11-26 07:55:002023-05-29 17:30:18The Republic of the Congo and the EU release 2019 annual report on VPA progress
The VPA ALA Facility has published a story reporting how law enforcement and continuous checks on operators are transforming business practices in Ghana’s timber sector. Companies are making noticeable improvements, in particular in relation to environmental and social obligations.
The Ghana VPA has enhanced enforcement of health and safety requirements in forestry operations.
Strengthened law enforcement is part of an ongoing effort in Ghana to improve the governance of the forest sector, and safeguard the long-term survival of the country’s forests. Law enforcement, as well as demands for better health and safety conditions by employees becoming more aware of their rights, and are yielding impressive results.
The Republic of the Congo and the EU have released a joint report on progress in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement from January to December 2018.
Tree logged in a forest concession. Source: European Forest Institute
The report describes progress made with the timber legality assurance system, institutional improvements, stakeholder engagement, communication, transparency and monitoring of the agreement.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/men-marking-log-Congo.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2019-12-12 08:08:002023-05-29 17:30:42The Republic of the Congo and the EU release 2018 annual report on VPA progress
La République du Congo et l’Union européenne (UE) ont fait le suivi de la mise en œuvre de leur Accord de Partenariat Volontaire (APV) visant à promouvoir la bonne gouvernance forestière. Les deux parties ont également orienté leur travail de 2020. L’APV fait partie de l’initiative de l’UE relative à l’application des réglementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT selon son sigle en anglais).
Monsieur Mateus Paula, Chef de Délégation de l’UE au Congo, et Madame Rosalie Matondo, Ministre de l’Économie Forestière du Congo, signent l’aide-mémoire du 11eme CCM. Source: Laurent Cerbonney, EFI
Le Comité Conjoint de Mise en œuvre (CCM) de l’APV entre la République du Congo et l’UE s’est réuni à Brazzaville les 20 et 21 novembre 2019. Cette onzième réunion du CCM a fait le point sur la mise en œuvre de l’APV-FLEGT depuis la précédente réunion du CCM, organisée en juin 2019.
Le CCM a fait le suivi de la mise en œuvre du plan de travail de 2019 et des recommandations des CCM 8 et 9, qui avaient été reconduites lors de sa précédente réunion. Le CCM a constaté que la majorité des activités et recommandations sont soit réalisées, soit en cours, et a encouragé les parties prenantes à redoubler d’efforts. Le CCM a décidé qu’un groupe de travail élargi reformulerait certaines recommandations pour faciliter leur mise en œuvre. Il a également approuvé le démarrage début 2020 de l’étude juridique préparatoire à la finalisation des textes d’application du Code forestier et la publication des rapports validés de l’Auditeur Indépendant du Système de Vérification de la Légalité.
Le CCM a discuté du déploiement du Système Informatique de Vérification de la Légalité (SIVL), un logiciel permettant de gérer les données liées à la traçabilité et à la légalité des produits bois. À ce sujet, le CCM a pris acte des réalisations significatives du Groupe Technique Interministériel et a salué l’insertion d’une ligne budgétaire pour ce déploiement dans le budget de l’État pour l’exercice 2020.
Le CCM a pris note du bilan de l’application de la Loi et de la gouvernance forestière en 2018 présenté par l’Observation Indépendante (OI) mandatée. Les parties ont demandé que l’OI mandatée et le système normalisé d’OI externe au Congo développent une stratégie de collaboration pour présentation au prochain CCM. Ce système normalisé est un ensemble de procédés de surveillance de l’exploitation des ressources naturelles fondé sur une norme internationale.
En ce qui concerne la communication, le CCM a validé la stratégie de communication de l’APV-FLEGT, de même que son plan d’actions budgétisé de 2020-2022, ainsi que le plan d’action de communication du CCM.
Les parties ont également abordé : la rédaction du Rapport annuel conjoint 2019, qui devrait être disponible lors du CCM 12 ; la Surveillance Indépendante du Marché ; les financements en cours et à venir des partenaires internationaux contribuant à la mise en œuvre de l’APV ; et la finalisation du plan de travail 2020.
« Je remercie vivement tous les partenaires internationaux pour leur soutien qui contribue au succès de mon mandat » a dit Madame Rosalie Matondo, Ministre de l’Économie Forestière du Congo. Elle a par ailleurs annoncé l’approbation en conseil des ministres du Décret constitutif du Comité interministériel pour la mobilisation des fonds et le suivi du déploiement national du Système de Vérification de la Légalité (SVL), structure indispensable pour répondre aux enjeux du déploiement du SIVL.
Le CCM est composé de représentants de 12 ministères congolais, de l’UE, de la société civile et du secteur privé. Il est l’occasion d’entretenir un dialogue inclusif et transparent entre toutes les parties prenantes, selon l’approche adoptée par le Gouvernement congolais et l’UE dans le cadre de leur APV.
À l’issue des discussions entre les experts techniques lors de la journée du 20 novembre, les décisions formulées ont été finalisées et adoptées officiellement lors de la session formelle du 20 novembre, co-présidée par S.E Madame Matondo et par Monsieur Mateus Paula, Ambassadeur, Chef de Délégation de l’Union Européenne au Congo.
La douzième réunion du CCM est prévue pour les 3 et 4 juin 2020.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Congo-JIC-2019.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2019-12-04 08:23:002023-05-29 17:31:12La République du Congo et l’UE encouragent le redoublement des efforts dans la mise en œuvre de leur APV
The Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) overseeing the EU-Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade has met this week in Monrovia to review progress and challenges in implementing the agreement.
The JIC — whose Liberian members include representatives of government agencies, the private sector, civil society — met in Monrovia from 25 February – 1 March.
The VPA aims to improve forest governance, address illegal logging and promote trade in verified legal timber products.
Hon. Harrison S. Karnwea, Chairman of the FDA’s Board of Directors and Ambassador Hélène Cavé of the EU Delegation to Liberia shaking hands after the signing. Source: Emmanuel Tobey, European Forest Institute
The JIC discussed progress made in implementing a system to verify the legality of Liberia’s timber products from forest to point of export. Several stakeholders noted the potential for this system to provide a commercial boost to the forest sector, which is already a key contributor to the Liberian economy.
The JIC also discussed challenges, such as the Government of Liberia´s delay in disbursing the legally required share of the land rental fee to the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB) due to budgetary constraints.
The EU highlighted that Liberia’s legal framework for sharing of benefits with logging affected communities is exemplary, and that the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDC), the NBSTB, the Government and all stakeholders should work together towards effectively implementing them, so as to be an example of best practices for other countries.
The JIC agreed that more discussion is needed and that a mechanism needs to be established to facilitate future disbursements from the budget.
The VPA Secretariat presented the VPA transparency requirements and both parties stressed the importance of the availability of information on the forest sector. The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) committed to make disaggregated information available to the public. The JIC also endorsed a specific communications strategy so as to reach out to the forest stakeholders and the broader public about VPA-related issues, including progress achieved and areas for improvement.
Gertrude Nyaley, Manager of the Community Forestry Department at the Forestry Development Authority and Kou Dorliae, Deputy Minister of Justice on Economic Affairs (from left to right) during the meeting. Source: Emmanuel Tobey, European Forest Institute
The JIC meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Hélène Cavé of the EU Delegation to Liberia and Hon. Harrison S. Karnwea, Chairman of the FDA’s Board of Directors.
Participants from Liberia included representatives of ministries and agencies of the Liberian Government, the NGO Coalition of Liberia, the Liberia Timber Association, the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees, and the National Union of Community Forest Management Bodies.
International partners including the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank also attended the meeting.
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/jic-liberia-mar19.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2019-03-04 14:30:002022-05-17 14:41:12Liberia and EU review VPA progress and challenges
La République Centrafricaine (RCA) et l’Union européenne (UE) ont publié leur rapport annuel conjoint sur la mise en œuvre en 2017 de leur Accord de partenariat volontaire (APV).
Le rapport décrit les avancées effectuées sur l’observation indépendante mandatée et l’appui au secteur privé dans la mise en œuvre de l’APV. Entre autres, il fait également mention de l’instauration du quitus obligatoire, de l’opérationnalisation de la Brigade mobile de contrôle et du développement d’une base de données collaborative.
Le rapport est disponible en français et en anglais:
https://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CAR-VPA-AR-2017-cover-photo.jpg6281200Albert Gardunohttps://flegtvpafacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VPA-Africa-Latin-America-svg-logo.svgAlbert Garduno2019-02-12 08:50:002022-05-05 10:17:17Centrafrique et UE rendent compte des progrès effectués en 2017 dans le cadre de leur APV
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Forest & John Bitar & Co. Ltd.
Logs and Lumber Limited
https://stats.flegtimm.eu
European Forest Institute
Laurent Cerbonney, EFI
European Forest Institute
European Forest Institute
