1. Stuart Wilson REM 69a Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EN, UK www.rem.org.uk mail@rem.org.uk Tel: 00(44)1223 314 589 Fax: 00(44)1223 359 048

2. Issues to Cover Relationship between IM-FLEG and FLEG-T Relationship between IM-FLEG and FLEG-T Information flows Information flows Institutional Arrangements Institutional Arrangements Potential problems Potential problems Evolution in illegality Evolution in illegality The need for consultation The need for consultation

3. Independent Monitoring of Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in Cameroon (IM-FLEG)  Work with government services in the field and the office  We publish our findings (field and thematic reports: - www.rem.org.uk)  Make recommendations for a way forward

4. FLEG-T and IM-FLEG The existence of an IM-FLEG type project is previewed as being an element of VPAs The existence of an IM-FLEG type project is previewed as being an element of VPAs The findings of an IM should be considered in the Verification of Legal Origin (VLO) process The findings of an IM should be considered in the Verification of Legal Origin (VLO) process When the IM (or other) documents/reports a suspected offence or breach of procedure When the IM (or other) documents/reports a suspected offence or breach of procedure When A PV (Official Statement of Offence) is established When A PV (Official Statement of Offence) is established When the defendant is found guilty When the defendant is found guilty

5. Institutional arrangements (IM-FLEG)+ (FLEG-T/VPA) > IM-FLEG-T is: IM-FLEG-T = VLO body I would suggest that this is not true and that there are several variables missing from the equation. Including: CBOs, NGOs, PS and GLES&OPOTA

6. Information flows VLO Audit body responsible for checks against identified criteria Government services: SIGIF and SIGICOF Private sector local and international NGOs, CBOs Others Log tracking organisations, Certification bodies and processes Organisations monitoring exports (SGS) Independent Monitoring (IM-FLEG) Certificate of Legal Origin Government services: SIGIF and… SIGICOF

7. Current FLEG issues in Cameroon The VPA process should be aware of the general state of play in the sector. The VPA process should be aware of the general state of play in the sector. Problems with SIGIF Problems with SIGIF SIGIF is seen as a key system in the control and verification of documentation: SIGIF is seen as a key system in the control and verification of documentation: Used exclusively for tax collection purposes (5 th quarterly report) Used exclusively for tax collection purposes (5 th quarterly report) Many titles allocated outside of procedures are registered in SIGIF. (See Mission report No.31 which looks at over 30 titles) which undermines the credibility of the SIGIF data. Many titles allocated outside of procedures are registered in SIGIF. (See Mission report No.31 which looks at over 30 titles) which undermines the credibility of the SIGIF data.

8. Evolution of suspected infractions From: large scale logging out of bounds (The famous case of FMU 10-030 and SFH) From: large scale logging out of bounds (The famous case of FMU 10-030 and SFH) In Sale of Standing Volume and Timber Recovery titles, logging out of limits remains a problem. In Sale of Standing Volume and Timber Recovery titles, logging out of limits remains a problem. To: Document based fraud Including in FMUs and Community Forests: To: Document based fraud Including in FMUs and Community Forests: None of the 30 Timber Recovery Permits investigated in Mission report No.31 had an EIA. 83% had no inventory. 66% were allocated for timber already felled (illegally) – paperwork allocated is used for laundering timber in transport. None of the 30 Timber Recovery Permits investigated in Mission report No.31 had an EIA. 83% had no inventory. 66% were allocated for timber already felled (illegally) – paperwork allocated is used for laundering timber in transport. 11 out of 19 logging sites visited had not respected Article 125 of the decree of application which requires daily completion of field documents, leading to tax loss 11 out of 19 logging sites visited had not respected Article 125 of the decree of application which requires daily completion of field documents, leading to tax loss

9. Database of investigations and legal cases The concept was presented in 2002, delivered in March 2005. It has not been used, no data has been entered into the system. The concept was presented in 2002, delivered in March 2005. It has not been used, no data has been entered into the system. SIGICOF should be a valuable source of information to VPA implementation SIGICOF should be a valuable source of information to VPA implementation The case of FMU 10 030 raises interesting questions for VLO and the standards to be applied The case of FMU 10 030 raises interesting questions for VLO and the standards to be applied Further training was provided yesterday after a change of staff in the Ministry Further training was provided yesterday after a change of staff in the Ministry

10. Conclusions That any proposed system should have a solid base That any proposed system should have a solid base SIGIF needs work SIGIF needs work SIGICOF needs implementing SIGICOF needs implementing The VLO process should consider a wide range of inputs, including those of Independent Monitoring projects The VLO process should consider a wide range of inputs, including those of Independent Monitoring projects The VLO body should be ‘pro-active’ in its approach The VLO body should be ‘pro-active’ in its approach There should be greater (breadth and depth) consultation in country on the VPA and implementing mechanisms There should be greater (breadth and depth) consultation in country on the VPA and implementing mechanisms These comments should be taken as constructive criticism and the presentation of issues that need consideration to achieve the goals set for FLEGT These comments should be taken as constructive criticism and the presentation of issues that need consideration to achieve the goals set for FLEGT

11. Independent Monitor’s Findings There are three different project outputs There are three different project outputs Mission reports: which could feed directly into FLEGT VLO bodies Mission reports: which could feed directly into FLEGT VLO bodies Quarterly reports: which provide detailed thematic analysis Quarterly reports: which provide detailed thematic analysis Annual reports: providing an overview of the year’s activities Annual reports: providing an overview of the year’s activities

12. All reports can be found at www.rem.org.uk Thank you www.rem.org.uk