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When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
John Muir
Naturalist and Writer
Remember, Wood comes from Trees!
We will comply with Mr. Roche’s three requests. First, we will ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the FLEGT process. Second, we will ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure that this matter is dealt with in legislation. Third, if Mr. Roche provides a copy of Offaly County Council’s policy, we will circulate it to all other local authorities asking them to consider putting in place similar policies.
Deputy Sean Fleming, T.D., Chairman, Joint Oireachtas Committee Environment,
Heritage & Local Government
Presentation by Just Forests to a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment Heritage & Local Government on the need for a 'National Timber Procurement Policy' 13th May 2009.
Presentation [Download]
Historical background research to this submission [Download]
Official Dail report [Download]
The EU is one of the world's major wood consumers, and with an annual import of close to 200 million cubic meters of timber, the EU has a major responsibility to ensure that its wood consumption does not lead to illegal exploitation and destruction of forests. The timber is imported from all parts of the world, including Russia, Eastern European countries and many tropical countries, where illegal logging is a serious threat to the forests.
Just Forests believes that the Irish government has a special responsibility in ensuring that timber and wood-based products used in their public institutions has been sourced legally and sustainably. Ireland participated in this WWF initiative for the first time in 2007.
The WWF Government Barometer presented on this website puts focus on government action against illegal logging, including their actions with regard to responsible public procurement of wood. Please contact your local politicians and ask them to insist that the Irish Government supports the WWF Scorecard Initiative.
What EU countries and NON EU countries have a timber policy? June 5th 2008
Central Point for Expertise on Timber procurement -CPET [Read More..]
CPET - the UK Government's Timber Procurement Policy -August 2008
Looking for FSC-certified wood? Start here.
Testimonials from some of the world's major NGO's and Businesses on why they support FSC[Read more...]