Council Decision (EU) 2021/964 of 26 May 2021 on the conclusion of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Honduras on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union

Ce que fait l'acte

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Karin KARLSBRO (Renew, SE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Honduras on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union. The committee responsible recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement. The EU published its Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan in 2003. The plan aims to combat illegal logging around the world. By entering Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with timber producing third countries, the EU opens for imports of legally sourced timber and timber products to enter the Single Market. These agreements are binding trade agreements. They also contribute to better regulation and governance of the forest sector in the exporting country. The European Parliament adopted by 632 votes to 23 with 38 abstentions a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Honduras on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union. Following the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement. The European Union published its Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan in 2003. The plan aims to combat illegal logging around the world. In particular, the EU-Honduras Voluntary Partnership Agreement establishes the framework, institutions and mechanisms of the timber legality assurance system for the FLEGT licensing scheme. It also sets out the framework for monitoring legal compliance and independent auditing of the system. The agreement includes a clear commitment by Honduras to develop legislation to ensure that timber imported into Honduras has been legally harvested in accordance with the applicable legislation of the country where the timber was harvested.