Indonesia, EU Expect New Timber Agreement

Only legally verified timber and timber products will reach the European Union (EU) after a timber deal is reached with Indonesia, according to The Jakarta Post. The agreement, which should be brokered within three months, is referred to as a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade - Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA). The EU created the voluntary action plan in 2003 so that countries that export timber to the EU could verify only legally harvested timber reaches the market. "We're nearly there. This agreement is crucial for Indonesia as it enables Indonesian timber exporters to expand their market for timber and timber products in the EU," said Iman Santoso, Indonesia's Forestry Ministry director general. At stake is nearly $1 billion in timber and timber products that Indonesia exports to the EU each year.