In anticipation of EIA‘s forthcoming 40th anniversary celebrations, we reflect on past achievements by revisiting pivotal moments in our environmental advocacy.
The European Parliament made a decisive move by overwhelmingly voting to prohibit imports of illegally logged timber and wood products. This landmark legislation represented a crucial step in safeguarding the world’s endangered rainforests.
Having spearheaded international efforts against illegal logging and timber smuggling for over a decade, EIA welcomed this legislative victory with immense satisfaction. Faith Doherty, Forests Campaign Leader, emphasized the importance of Europe assuming responsibility for a market that has fueled demand for cheap tropical timber.
“While the law could be stronger by extending its reach to all timber and wood product sellers in Europe, its current prohibition marks a significant starting point,” remarked Faith Doherty at the time.
The enactment of this legislation followed our successful advocacy efforts in the United States, which led to the amendment of the Lacey Act in 2008 to outlaw the sale and trade of illegally harvested timber.
With both the US and EU, the world’s largest markets for wood products, closing their doors to stolen timber imports, EIA’s relentless investigations and advocacy efforts yielded tangible global impact.
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