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New Zealand promised to trade only legally harvested timber. On May 18, New Zealand submitted the forest (statutory logging guarantee) amendment bill to parliament, promising to trade only legally harvested timber.

Under the act, timber harvested in New Zealand and overseas, as well as timber used in products manufactured or imported in New Zealand, must be certified as legal logging.

Stuart Nash said: "The new system will strengthen the reputation of our forestry and timber processing exports, guarantee our market access and reduce the risk of our importing illegally harvested timber. The historic emission reduction plan released this week illustrates how various sectors, including forestry, can play their role in better preparing for a low emission future and protecting our economic security. Global consumers hope that our high-quality primary products can be exported Guarantee. Illegal logging is a major global problem, leading to deforestation, ecosystem degradation and devastating economic and social impacts. "

Voluntary measures have been implemented for about 20 years, but protective measures are not complete. According to the new regulations, log traders, primary processors, exporters and importers will apply to MPI for registration in the legal logging system. The system establishes regulations and requirements to confirm whether the wood purchased locally and overseas complies with relevant laws. Anyone who buys wood and wood products must provide relevant information to show that the situation is true.

In addition, all registrants need to establish a due diligence system, which MPI will provide guidance and regular evaluation. Their names will appear in the online public register managed by MPI. At the same time, you can also apply for an exporter's declaration for use when entering the overseas market.

This information provides evidence of legal harvest for sending products to overseas and customers. About one third of New Zealand's timber or timber products are exported to markets that meet the requirements of timber legitimacy assurance.

Under the act, a tree or wood product is considered legal if it is cut by a person who has a legal right to cut trees or plants for use or sale and who complies with the laws of the cutting place.

This can be verified by declaring legally harvested logs and due diligence systems. If logging takes place in another country or jurisdiction, the relevant laws or rules of that region will apply to the specific products imported here. The regulatory regime has helped New Zealand and the international community in their efforts to combat the illegal logging trade.

The Ministry of primary industry (MPI) currently uses ad hoc arrangements with several major trading partners to provide guarantees. The bill provides a long-term solution to meet the requirements of trading partners for a sound legal logging system and provides confidence and certainty for the forestry and wood processing sectors.

"As the international community works increasingly to ensure that trade timber products come from legally harvested timber, we need a strong legislative framework to support our exporters to continue to enter the market while preventing the import of illegally harvested timber products into New Zealand," Stuart Nash said.