Washington, D.C. – The Office of the United States Trade Representative, on behalf of the United States Timber Committee, today issued a statement reviewing the overall findings of the Government of Peru’s verification report regarding three timber shipments from Peru to the United States, and reiterating areas for additional work by Peru. Peru conducted the timber verification in response to a February 2018 request made by the Timber Committee under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA). The timber verification provision serves as an important monitoring tool to assess the application of Peruvian forestry laws throughout the timber supply chain.
“I am committed to using the tools available under our trade agreements to ensure that U.S. businesses and workers can compete on a level playing field,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer “The result of this verification underscores that there is more work to do in order to stop illegal logging in Peru and to safeguard the legality of timber products entering the United States market. We look forward to continuing to work with Peru to stop illegal logging and the destruction of the Amazon.”
The PTPA contains a landmark Environment Chapter and Forest Annex, which includes a requirement for Peru to conduct audits and verifications of particular timber producers and exporters upon request from the United States and provides for the United States’ participation in the verification process. While the verification process highlighted progress that Peru has made over the years to address illegal logging, it also confirmed the challenges that remain to ensuring legality throughout the timber supply chain. The United States Government continues to engage the Government of Peru, as well as non-governmental organizations and private sector businesses involved in bilateral timber trade, to address the remaining challenges. The two governments will hold meetings of the Free Trade Commission and the Timber Sub-Committee and Environmental Affairs Council in the coming months.
To read the United States Timber Committee's report please click here.
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