Empirical Analysis on the Practical Feasibility of Timber Legality Verification Work in China

Abstract

With the acceleration of economic globalization and trade liberalization, illegal logging and timber trade, which are closely related to the ecological environment and climate change, have aroused extensive concern within the international community. Based on the authors’ long-term experience and accumulated knowledge, as well as extensive field investigation, this article offers a range of observations. Firstly, it analyzes the worldwide significance and annual changes of China’s forest products trade; secondly it reviews China’s legal timber logging, transport and management systems and major challenges; thirdly, it compares timber legality verification schemes and methods around the world and summarizes experience of their implementation; fourthly, it proposes countermeasures and suggestions on strengthening the timber legality management in China; finally, the paper discusses the practical feasibility of timber legality verification work in China. The results of the authors’ research show that strict forest logging quota management means the risk of illegally logging in China is relatively low, that legality verification in China can meet the international market demand for legal timbers and that launching timber legality verification work in China is therefore feasible. This would make a significant contribution to breaking through green trade barriers, enhancing China’s position in negotiations, and promoting the standardization of the timber international trade.