New Zealand policy to address illegal logging and associated trade

Domestic and international work programme

In December 2009 Cabinet adopted a New Zealand policy to address the legality and sustainability of New Zealand’s Timber Trade. The policy targets international, bilateral and domestic actions.

Multilateral actions include actively participating in climate change negotiations for a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) mechanism, and supporting efforts to have kwila listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Domestic actions include supporting the industry to develop a voluntary code of practice to encourage the verification of the legality of imported timber and timber products, and supporting the provision of consumer information on issues of legality and sustainability.

Bilateral actions include seeking to develop a joint strategy with Australia, and discussing where appropriate illegal logging under the umbrella of trade and environment agreements or arrangements concluded in the context of Free Trade Agreements.

The specific recommendations agreed to are listed below. The actions will be pursued, as appropriate, by Ministers and officials within the bounds of New Zealand’s international trade obligations.

Multilateral action

Actively participate in the climate change negotiations for a Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) mechanism consistent with cabinet mandates on REDD at the time of participation.
Engage on issues related to illegal logging and sustainable forest management in the regular international forestry meetings which Ministers and officials attend.
Support efforts to have kwila listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Domestic action

Support the industry to develop a voluntary pan industry code of practice to encourage the verification of the legality of imported timber and timber products.
Support the voluntary pan industry code of practice by providing consumer information on issues of legality and sustainability, for example on the relevant departmental websites.
Encourage the voluntary pan industry approach by encouraging the provision of information at the point of sale (ie voluntary labelling) for legality with a focus on the kwila species.
Consider progressing mandatory provision of information at the point of sale (i.e., mandatory labelling), subject to approval by Cabinet, should the voluntary labelling for the legality of kwila species be considered insufficient after a trial period of 2 years.

Bilateral action

Develop a joint strategy with Australia to address illegal logging and sustainable forest management.
Investigate the possibility of linking in with an Australian scheme to address illegal timber imports should they develop and introduce such a scheme.
Work with Australia to explore opportunities within the Asia Pacific region to discuss the issues of illegal logging and sustainable forest management trilaterally or plurilaterally at officials level.
[Withheld under s6(a) of the Official Information Act 1982]
Discuss illegal logging under the umbrella of trade and environment agreements or arrangements concluded in the context of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), should the opportunity arise.
Continue bilateral discussions at officials level, from relevant departments including MFAT, MfE and MAF, in the context of other engagements [withheld under s6(a) of the Official Information Act 1982] to explain the sustainability measures taken in New Zealand, and to promote the sourcing of legally logged timber and timber products from sustainably managed forests.

Cabinet invited the Minister of Forestry to consult with his counterpart in Australia on proposed development of a joint strategy to address illegal logging and sustainable forest management.

Cabinet also invited the Minister of Forestry to report back to the Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee on developments in this policy area and progress made from pursuing these actions within 12 months.

Last updated: 20 January 2010

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