According to the Schweizer Holzhandelszentrale (Swiss Timber Trade Federation/STTF) some of the criteria being demanded don’t even exist in Switzerland.
“Since the introduction of the EUTR, exporters of Swiss wood, harvested in Swiss forests, have been confronted with exaggerated requirements to prove legality, especially in Italy,” said STTF director Joerg Reimer. “Some of their customers, termed operators under the EUTR, have even asked for information on harvest concessions and evidence that harvest rights and customs payments have been met.”
It cannot be proved that the supplier has met these last criteria, because there are no such things in Switzerland.
“Harvest concessions do not apply, instead the right to harvest is granted by the local forestry services,” said Mr Reimer. “Swiss law also does not prescribe levies or other charges on wood harvesting, nor are there customs duties on timber or wood products exports.”
In preparation for the EUTR, the Swiss Government Environment Department issued fact sheets, one explaining the Regulation to its timber sector and, the other for EU customers, detailing Switzerland’s forest management system and the monitoring and controls in place to ensure it is enforced.
“So the reality is there is absolutely no risk that timber harvested in Swiss forests could be illegal,” said Mr Reimer. “Switzerland was, in fact, the first country worldwide to tackle the issue, implementing strict forest and harvesting laws back in the 19th century. So Swiss wood deserves to be respected as absolutely clean and legal.”
The European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) promotes the interests of timber trade in Europe. The ETTF represents the key importing national timber trade federations in Europe and supports its members to reach the highest level of responsible and sustainable practices.