Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale and Distribution) Bill

 

Introduced as a private members’ bill by Barry Gardiner (Lab, Brent North), the Bill aims to make it an offence for any importer or distributor to sell or distribute in the United Kingdom any wood harvested, manufactured or otherwise dealt with illegally in the country from which the wood originated or through which it passed or was transhipped; and for connected purposes.

The Bill was read for the first time in the Commons on April 2 2008. It is due to be read again on October 17 2008.

Under the Bill a person – any individual or organisation of any kind subject to any jurisdiction in the UK – will be found guilty of an offence if discovered to be selling, offering for sale, or attempting to sell, illegally imported wood in the UK. A distributor or importer guilty of such an offence shall be liable to imprisonment or a fine or both, as outlined in section 3.

The Bill does distinguish between those who are aware they are trading illegally, those who turn a blind eye, and those who have made a genuine mistake.

Referring to the Stern Report, Barry Gardiner pointed out that between 18 and 24 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change come from deforestation. He went on to add,

“The UK is the fourth largest consumer market of imported tropical timber, yet only a fraction of it can be said with any degree of certainty to have been legally sourced and harvested in its country of origin.”

“Ultimately, it is a Bill about protecting the environment, not catching thieves.”

 

 

 

House of Common

First reading: April 2 2008 [HC Bill 94]

Second reading: October 17 2008