FLEGT
In view of the serious ecological, economic and social consequences of illegal logging, the European Union published the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade action plan in 2003. This action plan acknowledges that the EU is an important export market for countries with widespread illegal logging and bad governance The two most important tools for the implementation of the FLEGT action plan are 1) a proof of legality (FLEGT license) that is to certify the clearance of the traded wood and 2) voluntary partnership agreements (VPA) that constitute a legally binding agreement between the European Union (EU) and each timber exporting country.
