International Tropical Timber Agreement

INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER AGREEMENT

By Anton Antonio

February 16, 2016

The single-biggest cause for the depletion of the world’s forest cover is the illegal harvesting and trade of timber products.  This is not only a domestic problem of individual countries but a worldwide problem.  The European Union and the United States, in an effort to eradicate the international trade of illegally harvested forest products, have started to be strict in importing wood --- especially tropical hardwood --- without due certification from their true origin.

“The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA, 2006) is to “promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably manages and legally harvested forests and to promote the sustainable management of tropical timber producing forests”.  It entered into force on 7 December 2011 and replaces the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994.  As of late July 2015, there are 71 parties to the agreement.  Madagascar, Nigeria, and Paraguay have signed the agreement but have not ratified it.  Canada ratified the agreement in 2009 but has since denounced it.” (Wikipedia)

The ITTA, however, could only be effective if the governments (particularly the ministries and departments in charge of protecting forest resources) of individual countries do not connive (meaning: secretly allow something considered immoral, illegal, wrong and harmful to occur) with illegal loggers and traders.  Otherwise, this international accord will be useless; the International Tropical Timber Agreement.

Thoughts to promote positive action…

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REFERENCE:

Wikipedia, (2016).  “International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006”.  Retrieved on February 16, 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Tropical_Timber_Agreement,_2006