Press releases

Timber assurance schemes pass Government test (18 December 2006)

The first review of schemes, assessed by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) as assuring government departments in the UK that they are buying timber from responsible sources, found that standards and procedures continue to merit their current CPET approval status.

Defra announces review to assure legal and sustainable timber procurement  (7 June 2006)

A review of five forest certification schemes will begin on 24 June to ensure that the schemes are providing adequate assurances that timber bought by the UK Government is legally and sustainably sourced.

PEFC Forest Certification Scheme still on probation as checks reveal outstanding issues  (30 March 2006)

A sample check on the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) system requirements did not reveal a justification to change its probationary status yet.

Legal and sustainable timber - Minister invites views on assessment of evidence (16 February 2006)

Comments and suggestions on improving the Government's method for assessing evidence of forest management were invited today by Environment Minister Elliot Morley.

Minister Encourages Comments on Scheme to Promote Environmentally-Sound Forest Management  (6 January 2006)

The assessment comes after the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) adopted new standards in order to meet the Government’s requirements for timber and wood products to come from legal and sustainable sources.

Timber Procurement Website Launched  (14 November 2005)

A new website has been launched to provide information and advice on how legal and sustainable timber can be purchased, in line with the UK Government's timber procurement policy.

Timber Procurement Help Line Begins Operation  (16 August 2005)
A new helpline has been set up to give advice to public sector bodies and their suppliers about how to purchase legal and sustainable timber.

Progress on Forest Certification Schemes  (11 August 2005)
Two forest certification schemes are adopting new standards in response to the government's requirements for timber and wood products to come from legal and sustainable sources.

G8 Environment and Development Ministers Agree Action on illegal Logging and Put Climate Change in Africa on Agenda for G8 Heads  (18 March 2005)
The world's richest nations agreed today to implement measures to tackle climate change in Africa and illegal logging.

UK welcomes European moves to stop illegal logging  (20 July 2004)
The UK will strongly endorse the innovative measures - including a new EU regulation - to prevent illegal timber from entering the European market.

 Action to Halt Illegal Timber Imports  (28 July 2000)
The move follows the commitment made by G8 leaders last weekend to do more to tackle illegal logging. The United Kingdom is first off the mark to meet that commitment.