Brussels, 06/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 6 October in Brussels, the European Union and Cameroon signed a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) to guarantee that from July 2012, only Cameroonian wood that is legally harvested, together with its derived products, can be legally exported to the European market. This voluntary agreement, otherwise known as FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) introduces new measures to fight against deforestation. The two parties make a joint commitment to participating in this agreement in the interest of sustainable forestry resources and the local communities, which depend upon this industry.
From July 2012, all shipments of wood products from the Cameroon to the EU will be required to carry a licence showing that they contain timber and wood products from a legal origin in compliance with Cameroonian legislation. The agreement signing ceremony, which closed the negotiations begun in 2007, took place at the premises of the Council of the EU. Andris Piebalgs, the European commissioner for development, welcomed the scope of this agreement concluded with “the biggest exporter of African wood to the EU”. The European market is an outlet for 80% of Cameroonian production. The commissioner said that this agreement reflected the ambitious reform programme, as well as the transparency and responsibility with which Cameroon sustainably manages its forests. Elvis Ngolle Ngolle, the Cameroon minister for forests and fauna, explained that this agreement “creates a timber authorisation regime, which will govern Cameroon exports to the EU” and help put an end to the “illegal trade in Cameroon, which is pursued because it manages to find trade partners”. He called for the rapid implementation of the agreement, which “really started in Cameroon with the implementation of a new traceability programme in April 2010”. He assured the EU: “You are dealing with a committed and reliable partner”. Sabine Laruelle, the Belgian minister for small and medium-sized enterprises, the self-employed, agriculture and science policy (Belgian Presidency) said that this agreement is proof that “the EU and Cameroon are working hand-in-hand to develop a timber market that complies with legislation”. It is exemplary because it “addresses Cameroon's neighbouring countries … and sends out a signal calling for a commitment on the viability and sustainability of forests and biodiversity in the long-term”.
In order to enter into force on the date agreed, the agreement must still be ratified by the two parties in mid-2011. The process to this end is already taking place in Cameroon. In the EU, consent by the Parliament is expected within the next six months, according to Andris Piebalgs, who hopes to see complete ratification as soon as possible. Similar voluntary agreements have already been concluded between the EU and the Republic of Congo and Ghana. The agreement with Cameroon is therefore the third of this kind. Negotiations are currently taking place with Liberia and have just begun with Gabon. Outside the African context, negotiations are taking place with Indonesia and Malaysia. (A.N./transl.fl)