Environment Minister pledges to retain EU timber rules post-Brexit

www.businessgreen.com - The government has reiterated that it will retain influential EU forestry and timber rules post-Brexit, as part of wider efforts to support the timber industry and tackle illegal deforestation around the world.

Speaking last week at a parliamentary reception hosted by the Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI), Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said the government's commitment to transferring EU environmental legislation onto the UK statute book through the Withdrawal Bill would include forestry regulations.

"When we leave the EU, the Withdrawal Bill will make sure the whole body of European environmental law continues to have effect in UK law," she told an audience of timber industry executives. "This means bringing into UK law two regulations that the UK timber sector played a great role in shaping: the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) and the Forest Law Environment Governance and Trade Regulation (FLEGT). I want to thank your industry for your continued commitment to a responsible and sustainable trade in timber."

The commitment was welcomed by David Hopkins, Director of the CTI, who said both regulations had played a key role in driving more responsible forest management around the world.

"I welcome the Minister's assurance that the government will ensure that both the EUTR and FLEGT will continue to operate in the UK after Brexit," he said. "The timber industries have worked closely with the government to lead the development of these EU regulations, which have enabled the UK to become a global champion for responsibly-sourced timber. Incorporating the principles underpinning the EUTR and FLEGT into domestic law will enable the UK timber industries to continue to flourish."

To read the full article click here