EU/Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement: forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU (FLEGT)

PURPOSE: to conclude a Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Liberia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union (FLEGT).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: in May 2003, the Commission adopted a Communication entitled "Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT): Proposal for an EU Action Plan" which called for measures to address illegal logging by developing voluntary partnership agreements with timber-producing countries. Council conclusions on that Action Plan were adopted in October 2003 and the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the subject on 11 July 2005.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Liberia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now appropriate to approve the Agreement on behalf of the Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: first subparagraphs of Article 207(3) and (4), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and Article 218(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this proposal, the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Liberia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision

For further details of this Agreement, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 17/06/2011.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the Union.