{"id":18964,"date":"2024-07-08T13:30:59","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T03:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/?p=18964"},"modified":"2024-10-21T20:17:42","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T10:17:42","slug":"turkey-india-caught-out-in-global-crackdown-on-illegal-timber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/turkey-india-caught-out-in-global-crackdown-on-illegal-timber\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkey & India Caught Out in Global Crackdown on Illegal Timber"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The\u00a0Latvian State Forest Service has\u00a0fined a company \u20ac 10,000 for planning to import birch plywood from Turkey – with the State Forest Service alleging that the timber originates in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, which allowed the risk of timber from Russia being placed on the market.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Japan
Russian oligarchs have a tight grip over the global supply chain of Russian plywood, with Wood Central reporting that Russian controlled plywood and lumber is helping Russia finance it’s war in Ukraine. (Photo Credit: Alexego01 under Creative Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burmese teak imports (via India) have now surged 15-fold <\/h6>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A23NFD
Log transport operation and Shwe-kyet-kay Buddhist Temple on the Irrawaddy River near Sagaing Myanmar. Over the past 3 years, Myanmar has escalated logging and is now using India, Indonesia and China to bypass western sanctions and trade high value teak and hardwood products into the EU, North America and further afield. (Photo Credit: NORMA JOSEPH \/ Alamy Stock Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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