1. UK Government timber procurement policy Marigold Norman Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs National Sustainable Procurement Stakeholder Group 22 May 2008

2. The UK timber procurement policy Since 2000, central government departments must seek to buy timber from sustainable and legal sources. Legal timber is a condition of contract. From 2009, policy will change to sustainable timber only, or timber licensed under the EU FLEGT initiative.

3. Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) Established in 2005 to provide free advice to public sector and suppliers. Assessments of schemes and other evidence against government definitions of legality & sustainability. Workshops, promotion, monitoring and guidance. Reference Board includes trade and ENGOs.

4. Legality and sustainability – definitions Legality refers to compliance with relevant laws in the country of origin of the timber. Sustainability encompasses most elements of international definitions of sustainable forest management. Suppliers can use certified timber or other credible means of ensuring legality & sustainability.

5. Impacts and influence of the policy 60% of timber imports into UK are certified – significant increase since policy adopted. Other national governments have followed suit in developing timber procurement policies. Raising the standards of SFM (through certification schemes) Timber Trade Federation: ‘policy is a significant driver for removing illegal timber from the supply chain’.

6. Work with local authorities on timber procurement Defra working to encourage local authority development and implementation of a timber procurement policy. Defra working with the Timber Trade Federation and the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) on a joint strategy aimed at offering the maximum support to local authorities. Meeting on 25 th June with around10 London LAs and industry/NGO representatives to discuss a London forum to share information and best practice.

7. What next? London forum and promotion of the CPET services to local authorities. Important to stress the link between timber and the Local Government Sustainable Procurement Strategy. EU considering mandatory green public procurement policies – this would mean that all 27 Member States have to purchase legal timber. EU considering legislation to tackle illegal logging.

8. Thank you. Any questions? Marigold Norman +44 (0)20 7270 8408 marigold.norman@defra.gsi.gov.uk CPET +44 (0)1865 243766 cpet@proforest.net www.proforest.net/cpet