1 UK GOVERNMENT’S TIMBER PROCUREMENT POLICY Bob Andrew Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs July 2007

2 POLICY – JULY 2007 Central government departments must seek to buy timber from sustainable and legal sources Legal timber is a condition of contract Tenderers can choose to offer sustainable timber as a variant Evidence of compliance will be independently verified if requested

Implementation 55% of timber imports certified Demand low – no incentive for trade Current policy too flexible? Sub contractors not engaged Site supervision inconsistent Contract management inconsistent

Monitoring CPET Pilot underway Working with construction supply chains Checking contracts and procedures Report to Defra end September 2007 Recommendations to include reporting

4 POLICY Central departments will demand only timber and timber products made from trees grown and legally harvested in sustainably managed forests or: Timber and timber products licensed under FLET voluntary partnership agreements This is an interim policy until 2015

POLICY Central departments will purchase only timber and timber products made from trees grown and legally harvested in sustainably managed forests

5 POST APRIL 2009 IMPACTS Legal compliance alone no longer acceptable Exception for FLEGT Licences a challenge Small forest owners a challenge Definition of SFM – appropriate? Legal compliance as assurance of SFM? Consultation 05 July until 27 September

Promotion Harmonisation challenging Social criteria needs resolution Wide gaps between some policies Many UK Local Authorities not engaged Chatham House sampling authorities in NE