Flegt License Shows Indonesia Is Serious in Combating Illegal Logging: WWF
Jakarta. Indonesia will soon send its first timber export to Europe which meets the European Union's Forest Law, Enforcement, Governance and Trade, or Flegt, standards.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) praised Indonesia for being the first country to meet the stringent requirements, which the EU designed specifically to combat illegal logging.
"It shows Indonesia's commitment to forest conservation and improving forest governance. It is now the only country in the world that sells certified timber products," WWF Indonesia acting chief executive Victor Benja Mambai said in a statement on Friday (16/09).
Indonesia's timber products are being verified through the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), which means all Indonesian timber legally exported to Europe comes from responsibly managed forests.
The European Union and Indonesia have agreed the first licensed timber export under Flegt will start before Nov. 15.
"The SVLK took more than 10 years to process and it already yields very encouraging results. This could not have happened without a strong commitment from the Indonesian government," Aditya Bayunanda, WWF Indonesia forest commodity market and transformation leader, said.
WWF Indonesia, Forest Rescue Network Riau and Friends of the Earth Indonesia will join forces as "Eyes on the Forest" to monitor SVLK's implementation and ensure no illegal timber enters the system.
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