NEWS

The U.S. Trade Representative directed Customs & Border Protection to block future timber from a specific Peruvian exporter because of suspected illegal logging. Two Global Forestry Investments directors were charged with conspiracy to defraud and forgery, related to a scheme to promote investing in teak forests in Brazil. Suspected Chinese violations caused Belgian authorities to temporarily block timber from Gabon, related to illegal timber purchased from Chinese exporter Wan Chuan Timber Sarl.

Resources:

• Peru:
  • ITTO Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report (page 10)
  • USTR Announces Enforcement Action to Block Illegal Timber Imports from Peru
• GFI:
  • Timberbiz: Global Forestry Investments’ second director charged
• Gabon:
  • Timberbiz: Belgium blocks timber from Gabon after suspected Chinese violations
  • EIA: Toxic Timber Intercepted in Belgium