The Latvian State Forest Service has fined a company € 10,000 for planning to import birch plywood from Turkey – with the State Forest Service alleging that the timber originates in Russia.
According to a Latvian Public Broadcasting report, the fine was imposed for failing to comply with the European Union (EU) Timber Regulation’s due diligence requirements, which allowed the risk of timber from Russia being placed on the market.
Importing timber or timber products using raw materials from Russia or Belarus is still prohibited. Such products would breach the EU Timber Regulation as raw materials cannot be reduced to a “negligible risk” to be allowed on the EU market. Timber and wood products produced in Russia or Belarus, subject to EU sanctions, are considered illegally sourced.
If a company intends to import a high-risk product, such as birch plywood, it must rule out any possibility that the plywood or timber was produced in Russia or Belarus. Similarly, if furniture is imported, for example, from China or any other third country whose manufacturers might use timber from Russia or Belarus, the possibility that it may contain raw materials from those countries must be excluded.
Burmese teak imports (via India) have now surged 15-fold
Meanwhile, the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) last week reported that teak imports from India by the EU and the US have surged 15-fold, with the increase coming despite existing sanctions imposed on major players based in Myanmarlayer. The report, published by Wood Central last week, also highlights concerns about the true origin of teak exports from the world’s most populous country.
The smuggling of teak, or more precisely Burmese teak wood (Tectona grandis) from Myanmar, has become a significant issue, with reports of high-profile seizures and arrests across India. This has highlighted the scale and complexity of the problem in east and northeast India.
Despite stringent sanctions imposed on Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) by the European Union and the US, the illicit trade in Burmese teak continues to flourish, and a network of smugglers and corrupt traders facilitates it.
Reports by northeast India’s Frontier Manipur say several recent incidents underscore the severity of the situation. In a significant operation, foresters from the Belakoba range under the Baikunthapur forest division seized a consignment of Burmese teak concealed under sacks of coal. The truck driver and helper, both from Haryana, were arrested.
Similarly, the State Goods and Service Tax department busted a smuggling racket, arresting Rahul Khan from Rajasthan in March. A container purportedly carrying tea leaves was found to contain about 18,000 cubic metres of Burmese teak worth about US $1,012,350.
In another significant operation in February, Bagdogra Forest Department officials intercepted a container loaded with Burmese teak hidden among bamboo valued at US $2.5 million.
These incidents reveal the extensive network of smuggling routes and the lengths to which traffickers go to conceal their illegal activities. From hiding timber under coal sacks and bamboo to using false documentation, smugglers employ sophisticated methods to evade detection.
The involvement of individuals from various states, including Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, highlights the widespread nature of this illegal trade. The continuous seizures and arrests reflect the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat this menace.
However, the persistence of smuggling activities indicates the need for more robust measures and international cooperation to curb the illegal trade of Burmese teak.
