Resources

Bibliography compiled by Lorena Ibargüen Tinley in 2004. A-Z by country and subject:

• Africa
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Certification
• CITES
• Communities
• Concessions
• Corruption
• Deforestation
• Ecuador
• FLEG
• Forest Crimes
• Forest Law
• Forest Law Enforcement
• Forest Policy
• Forests
• Global Witness
• Governance
• Illegal Logging
• Illegal Timber Trade
• Independent Forest Monitoring
• Indonesia
• Kimberley Process
• Law Enforcement
• Monitoring
• Participation
• Philippines
• Trade

Also on this site

• Verification Case Study - Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
• VERIFOR Briefing Paper 1 - Designing Verification Systems for the Timber Trade: Learning from International Processes (PDF, 621kb)

Brack, D., Marijnissen, C., & Ozinga, S. 2002, Controlling Imports of illegal timber. Options for Europe , The Royal Institute of International Affairs and FERN.
Abstract: This report presents a series of recommendations for the institutions of the European Union (EU) on means to control the import of illegally source timber and wood products into the territory. It identifies existing legislation that may be applicable in controlling imports, looks at ways of promoting legal products in the market and of controlling flows of investment to potentially illegal forestry activities; examines existing global frameworks that may be applicable; analyses new approaches that are currently being discussed, in particular the option of the new EU legislation, including a licensing scheme for legal timber; and considers the practical issues, including identification systems, that must be addressed.
The document points out the following measures that should be adopted as key priorities for action:

• Adopt new EU legislation to ban the entry of illegally produced timber in the EU. This should include establishing systems to identify legal production in producer countries and requirement for evidence of legal production to be presented at the point of import into the EU.
• Provide capacity-building assistance to developing countries to establish legality verification systems to reform their forestry sectors and possible forestry laws.
• Use government procurement policy to source legal and sustainable products,
• Regulate sources of finance for the forestry industry, steering investment flows away form potentially illegal activities
• Where possible, use existing legislation on illegal goods and money laundering to target illegal timber.

Keywords: certification/CITES/EU policy/forest legislation/government procurement/illegal logging/independent monitoring/money laundering/OECD Convention on Bribery and Corruption/The Kimberley Process/trade/US Lacey Act/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Brack, D., Marijnissen, C., & Ozinga, S. 2002, Controlling Imports of illegal timber. Options for Europe , The Royal Institute of International Affairs and FERN.,
Abstract: This report presents a series of recommendations for the institutions of the European Union (EU) on means to control the import of illegally source timber and wood products into the territory. It identifies existing legislation that may be applicable in controlling imports, looks at ways of promoting legal products in the market and of controlling flows of investment to potentially illegal forestry activities; examines existing global frameworks that may be applicable; analyses new approaches that are currently being discussed, in particular the option of the new EU legislation, including a licensing scheme for legal timber; and considers the practical issues, including identification systems, that must be addressed. The document points out the following measures that should be adopted as key priorities for action: ùAdopt new EU legislation to ban the entry of illegally produced timber in the EU. This should include establishing systems to identify legal production in producer countries and requirement for evidence of legal production to be presented at the point of import into the EU. ùProvide capacity-building assistance to developing countries to establish legality verification systems to reform their forestry sectors and possible forestry laws. ùUse government procurement policy to source legal and sustainable products, ùRegulate sources of finance for the forestry industry, steering investment flows away form potentially illegal activities ùWhere possible, use existing legislation on illegal goods and money laundering to target illegal timber
Keywords: certification/CITES/EU policy/forest legislation/government procurement/illegal logging/independent monitoring/money laundering/OECD Convention on Bribery and Corruption/The Kimberley Process/trade/US Lacey Act/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Environmental Investigation Agency & Telapak, I. 2002, Illegal logging and the international trade in illegally sourced timber: How CITES can help and why it should. A briefing for the 12th Conference of the parties to CITES
Abstract: This briefing is based on the premise that much of the illegally sourced wood in international markets is from tree species which are threatened or endangered in the wild. Therefore, the authors argue, CITES is currently the only legal tool available which allows producer and consumer governments to stop trade in illegal wood
Keywords: CITES/illegal logging/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Marijnissen, C., Ozinga, S., Richards, B., & Risso, S. 2004, Facing reality. How to halt the import of illegal timber in the EU , FERN, Greenpeace, WWF.
Abstract: This study focuses on the problems illegal logging brings about, and the role the EU plays as a major buyer of illegally sourced timber. The authors describe how illegal logging contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity; fuels civil wars and threatens international security through bribery, organized crime and human rights abuses; cuts tax revenue of producer countries; destabilizes international markets and undermines both legitimate business and responsible forest management. It is an international problem that needs solutions from both producer and buyer countries, but the EU does not have the legal means to halt the import of illegal timber. The study does an analysis of the international framework (FLEG process, G8 meetings) as well as relevant EU legislation. In the last section it deals with actions need to stop this problem and reviews CITES, procurement policies, the need for regulating the financial sector, customs cooperation, licensing schemes, independent monitoring among others
Keywords: CITES/deforestation/FLEG/illegal logging/independent monitoring/licensing schemes/monitoring/procurement policies/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Tacconi, L., Boscolo, M., & Brack, D. 2003, National and international policies to control illegal forest activities. A report prepared for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan
Abstract: Illegal forest activities pose a significant threat to the sustainability of forest ecosystems, result in losses of government revenues, foster a vicious cycle of bad governance, and may contribute to increased poverty and social conflict. As such, they have received considerable attention from the international community in recent years. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the range of national and international policy options available to reduce illegal forest activities by:

1. reviewing what is known regarding the nature and extent of the problem,
2. identifying possible policy responses applicable by producer countries, by consumer countries, or via international initiatives, and
3. suggesting possible principles and criteria for further evaluation and selection of policy options.

The document outlines principles and criteria to aid the development of appropriate policy options to reduce illegal forest activities. Principles:

• Reform efforts should proceed with input from all the important stakeholders
• Property rights of forest must be clarified and resolved
• Streamline the policy and regulatory framework
• Divest certain functions to the private sector, NGO's, civil society and local governments
• Promote integration and coordination with other sectors and with other players, both national and international.

Keywords: CITES/communities/governance/illegal logging/international agreements/Kimberley Process/NGO's/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Wijnstekers, W. 2003, The evolution of CITES. A reference to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 7th edition .
Abstract: This almost 600 page book presents the provisions of the Convention, relevant resolutions and decisions, as well as explanations and comments to facilitate the understanding of the Convention and how it should be implemented
Keywords: CITES/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140