A group of Thailand study visits led by Mrs. Kantinan Peawsa-ad, Director of Forest Economics Bureau, Royal Forest Department (RFD) accompanied with representatives from Foreign Trade Department, Ministry of Commerce, Legal Bureau, RFD, and Thai-EU FLEGT Secretariat Office (TEFSO) visited and studied on guidelines for timber import control of the United Kindom (UK)and Federal Republic of Germany during 13-17 January 2020. The trip was supported by Forest Trend which aimed to enhance the understanding of the timber import control’ s system through Due Diligence (DD). There were concerned agencies and organizations participating in discussions as follow;

1. Kew Garden (Royal Botanical Garden), Botanical Library, and Species Inspection Center working with Agroisolab UK Limited (the private company that analyzes wood genesis using Stable Isotope).
2. Office of Safety and Standards is the EUTR (Competent Authority: CA) enforcement organization of the UK.
3. NEPCon is the independent entity registered as the assessing and monitoring’ unit (Monitoring Organisation: MO) under the European Union.
4. Track Record Global (TRG) is the consultant company on Due Diligence.
5. The UKTimber Trade Federation (TTF) incorporates EUTR Due Diligence requirements into its Reponsible Purchasing Policy (RPP), to which all its member must adherefor its members.
6. Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) is the EUTR (Competent Authority: CA) enforcement organization of Germany.
7. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the organization who certifies a forest management standard (Forest Certification) and the information supporter to confirm the source of wood from FSC Certificate certified forest plantations.

Mrs. Kantinan said that “it was a great opportunity to enhance the understanding of Due Diligence (DD) system which is important for either European or Asian countries applying for timber import control including to ensure the legal sources of timber and traceability. An entrepreneur will play an important role in this operation to present their trade responsibility. Additionally, Thailand plans to have stakeholders’ consultation meeting to develop a suitable guideline for a further step in the future.” 

This study visit strengthened the understanding of Due Diligence (DD) under EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) which will be discussed and understood with concerned stakeholders under a preparation process of FLEGT VPA.