Australia imports about $6.12 billion of wood products annually, and up to $604.08 million of that carries some risk of being illegally logged, according to the country’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, but the country is considering changes to its wood products import rules that would weaken regulations, The Conversation, a source of news from academics and researchers, said.
The proposed changes would aim to reduce the costs for businesses to comply with regulations. Instead of requiring them to conduct due diligence with respect to the source of wood products imports worth $755 or more, businesses would benefit from a “deemed to comply” provision for wood products from certain private certification schemes. A “deemed to comply” provision assumes an importer has complied with regulations, which would effectively exempt companies from doing their own due diligence, The Conversation said.
The Conversation points out that it isn’t uncommon for illegally logged timber to have the proper documents and certification. And while third-party certification schemes are recognized in the European Union and United States as ways to ensure legality, they are used as a part of a larger system of due diligence, not as the final say in legality.
“Any changes to our laws should strengthen them, not water down their requirements and limit their value and effectiveness,” The Conversation stated. “Our current legislation is the best defense for consumers and businesses. It should be enforced to ensure that the wood imported and sold in Australia does not cause harm both to people and nature.”
