Evidence Emerging from the Survey on European Union Timber Regulation [REG. (EU) 995/2010] in Italy
Author(s)
Nermin, Hadžić
Francesco, Carbone
Date Issued
2022
Type
article
Volume
12
Issue
01
Start Page
142
End Page
161
Journal
Abstract
Illegal logging is a pervasive problem of major international concern that
causes many negative social, economical and environmental consequences.
EUTR is a tool adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2013 to stop the
trade of timber illegally logged within the EU market. The implementation in
Italy is still in progress and varies among regions. This study considers the
respondents’ opinions on different EUTR characteristics, implementation
processes and compliance activities. Taking Italy as an example, the questionnaire
was delivered to relevant Italian foresters and timber operators in
the forest-timber system. Two hypotheses are under verification: 1) if Italian
forest-wood-timber sector integrated EUTR into its activity and 2) if the Italian
Due Diligence system is a valid model to other countries. The questionnaire
has been submitted to the wood industry stakeholders. It has been organized
into six sections to collect information about the professional characteristics
of respondents, their experiences on EUTR, the opinion about
EUTR and FLEGT, the support received on EUTR implementation, the opinion
about the checks system, and the role of EUTR in marketing timber
products. Questionnaire data have been elaborated in different ways. Conclusion
underlines the EUTR Italian system criticalities and some suggestions for
a more effective use of EUTR in the wood market. The picture that emerges
from the results collected is that the EUTR, although proposed for morally
and ethically valid purposes, doesn’t have unanimous effectiveness. In particular,
EUTR can generate a distortion of the market, new expenditures for
importers. Various operators applaud the role of certification schemes for
sustainable forest management, which indirectly makes it possible to prevent
the aforementioned problem. The Italian EUTR system is working only for
satisfying Regulation 995/2010 targets. This must be considered as the starting
point; however, three innovative topics could be developed in the future: digitalization and computerization of EUTR certification, integration of
EUTR certification with forest certifications schemes and other quality certifications,
and use of EUTR in the marketing initiatives.
Subjects