|
Let’s learn about Product Scope, the first annex of the FLEGT VPA which informs a list of products covered under the FLEGT VPA
Product Scope is the first annex of the FLEGT VPA. The annex specifies a list of timber and timber products covered under the FLEGT VPA. The operators have to follow the FLEGT VPA process if the products they import to the EU are listed in this annex.
Product Scope is one of the first annexes that Thailand drafted. The first draft was submitted for discussion with the EU in the 2nd Joint Expert Meeting and the 1st Negotiation. From then on, Thailand and the EU have continued discussing and exchanging on Product Scope with the latest update at the 5th Joint Expert Meeting and the 3rd Negotiation in September this year. Both Thailand and the EU agree that the Product Scope annex has a sizable implication to the Thai forest sector. The annex will need to reflect and support the Thai timber industry, import-export, law enforcement, and supply chain control. At present, Thailand is in the middle of an annex review. Thailand has recently formed the Product Scope sub-working group to study and discuss products listed in the annex and increase stakeholder participation in the annex review. The Product Scope sub-working group has also worked to strengthen stakeholders’ understanding of the FLEGT process and the Thai Timber Legality Assurance System development. Furthermore, the Reclaimed Timber sub-working group was formed to develop a supply chain control system of reclaimed timber to improve regulation on reclaimed timber ensuring traceability. Traceability of reclaimed wood will increase the confidence of trade partners that they will not purchase illegal products. To further engage with stakeholders, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Product Scope sub-working group leader, organizes stakeholder consultation in the main timber producing provinces of four regions in Thailand to gather wider stakeholder feedback.
 Overall, the Product Scope covers the following groups of timber and timber products: unprocessed and processed timber, composite wood, group of wooden furniture, builder’s joinery and prefabricated wooden building, paper and pulp, packaging, and other groups of timber products such as wooden storage, barrel, wooden frame, and wooden part. If you are interested in reading the current full list of products in the annex, go to product list.
|
|
|
|
Self-declaration as an option for supply chain control of timber on private land after the lifting of restriction on all timber on private land
As a result of the FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group’s effort, the Forest Act (No. 7), B.E. 2484 (C.E. 1941), was amended in 2020, lifting the restriction on all timber. Operators can freely harvest, process, possess and transport timber without obtaining permission from the authority.
The FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working through the participatory process: government, private and civil society sector, has developed a self-declaration guideline on the context of timber from private land to assist timber owners in declaring the legality of their timber by themselves. The self-declaration document will facilitate timber transportation from timber origin and can be presented as evidence to the authority.
There are two self-declaration methods: 1) for timber sold by the piece such as Teak (Tectona grandis), Burmese Padauk (Pterocarpus macrocarpus), and Yang Na (Dipterocarpus alatus), which has to be recorded per piece sold, and 2) for timber sold by weight such as Eucalyptus and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), which has to be recorded by weight sold in kilogram(s).
Aside from facilitating operators, the self-declaration process will complete the supply chain control in Thailand, allowing timber traceability to the timber origin.
|
|
|
|
Designing a guideline for supply chain control of timber from Sor.Por.Gor. land
There are two methods of supply chain control of timber on Sor.Por.Gor. land.
1. Forest Plantation Act (B.E. 2535), only applicable to 58 species listed in the Forest Plantation Act, the list of 58 species annexed to the Forest Plantation Act
2. Forest Act (B.E.2484), which provide two control paths for restricted and unrestricted timber
Currently, the government is in the process of announcing Sor.Por.Gor. which has Sor.Por.Gor. 4-10, Sor.Por.Gor. 4-01 Kor., Sor.Por.Gor. 4-01 Khor., Sor.Por.Gor. 4-01 Kor., or Sor.Por.Gor. 4-01 Chor., as the designated area for unrestricted timber operation. It will allow unrestricted logging, harvesting, processing, and possessing without permission from the authority.To ensure supply chain control of timber on Sor.Por.Gor. land, assist operators in transporting timber, and declare their timber legality to the authority, the FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group through multi-stakeholder discussion process, is now developing a guideline for supply chain control of timber planted on Sor.Por.Gor. land. The FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group is considering the 18/1 certification process and even self-declaration as options for operators to certify their timber and use the certificate to process a transport permit.In designing the guideline, the FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group will consider risk factors associated with timber in Sor.Por.Gor. land such as a problem with a former tree that belongs to the land, a problem with overlapping land rights, and a problem with some Sor.Por.Gor, lands close to the conserved natural forest, which contains the risk of illegal timber entering the supply chain. With all risks considered, the FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group will also make sure that the control system will facilitate timber operation in Sor.Por.Gor. land.
|
|
|
|
|
Interview with Mr. Amornpong Hirunwong, Fast-Growing Tree Business Association
For this issue, TEFSO had the opportunity to interview Mr. Amornpong Hirunwong, Fast-Growing Tree Business Association. Mr. Amornpong is one of the important members of the FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group from the business sector who brings insights and views from the business sector to fulfill the FLEGT VPA drafting process, which encompasses government, private and civil society sectors. Aside from the main FLEGT VPA ad-hoc working group, Mr. Amornpong is also part of many sub-working groups which work on drafting the Thai Timber Legality Assurance System (THA-TLAS), Supply Chain Controls of Thai Timber, Thai Timber Legality Definition, Supply Chain Control on Private and Public Lands, as well as Public Disclosure of Information. With his experience and familiarity with the FLEGT VPA, Mr. Amornpong talked about the reasons that motivated him to join the FLEGT VPA process in Thailand, his expectations towards the process, and the direction in which he wants to see the process heading.
|
|
|
The appointment of Mr. Adisorn Noochdamrong to the office of the Director of the Royal Forest Department gives a great push to the FLEGT VPA process
Changes in the Royal Forest Department have positively impelled the FLEGT VPA process in Thailand. After the new Forest Department Director, Mr. Adisorn Noochdamrong, Director of the Royal Forest Department, there was an arrangement in Director of the Forest Economics Bureau, which is now taken up by Mr. Tanongsak Nonthapa. In this regard, the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme team and the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand made courtesy visits to congratulate and to discuss the direction of the Thailand-EU FLEGT VPA process.
Mr. Adisorn Noochdamrong assured that he will expedite the negotiation process to the point of agreement signing. He hopes that Thailand and the EU will be able to agree on the overall agreement by next year. In this regard, Mr. Adisorn acknowledged support from all stakeholders in Thailand and the EU. He wishes all parties to continue their joint effort in the FLEGT VPA process alongside the Royal Forest Department. Mr. Daniel Hachez, Minister – Counsellor, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union in Thailand, confirmed the EU’s commitment to conclude the VPA with Thailand. From today onwards, the EU wishes to push the FLEGT VPA process parallel to the Free Trade Agreement since the two agreements share the same ground on sustainable products. Mr. Hachez reiterated the importance of the FLEGT VPA as one of the means to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mainly in the area of Climate Change. Furthermore, the FLEGT VPA process will support the Thai timber sector by enhancing Thai timber status in an international market. EU consumers will also benefit from the process by being able to buy legal and quality timber and timber products from Thailand. Mr. Hachez informed that the EU will continue supporting Thailand through the European Forest Institute (EFI) for technical issues and the Thailand-EU FLEGT Secretariat Office for project management and other non-technical support.
Mr. Bruno Cammaert, Forestry Officer, EU-FAO FLEGT Programme, and the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme team, gave a brief on the FLEGT VPA process, along with representatives from the partnered organizations: RECOFTC, Federation of Thai Industries, Asian Institute of Technology and the Reclaimed Timber Association, who introduced their ongoing projects under the FLEGT VPA process. All the projects aim to improve legality in the Thai timber sector, develop forest governance, and enhance benefit-sharing in the forest sector. The projects help build stakeholders’ capacity to effectively participate in the FLEGT VPA process, provide technical assistance to the government sector to develop an effective timber control system, and enhance business operators’ ability to access legal timber production and market.In the upcoming year, the Royal Forest Department and stakeholders will push for the FLEGT VPA negotiation to the point of agreement signing for the Thai and regional timber sector benefits. An exchange between Thailand and the EU will be strengthened, especially on the issues that still lack certainties, such as import control, control on timber from government authorized public land, and the development of the THA-TLAS system. The stakeholders will hold a meeting to plan a strategy for agreement drafting and negotiation. The Royal Forest Department will also step-up the communication on the FLEGT VPA to strengthen awareness amongst the wider stakeholders and the public.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
