Forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and timber products to the European Union (FLEGT)

The European Union is proposing to end a partnership agreement with Cameroon aimed at ensuring timber exported to the EU is legal and sustainably sourced. The agreement, in place since 2011, has not been fully implemented by Cameroon, leading to concerns about illegal logging and weak forest governance.

This decision primarily affects the timber industry in Cameroon, including loggers, traders, and related businesses, as well as EU operators who import timber. It also impacts civil society organisations in Cameroon that were involved in the agreement's oversight and aims to promote transparency.

The key change is the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). Cameroon has failed to establish a timber legality assurance system as required by the VPA, meaning it cannot issue FLEGT licenses for timber exports to the EU. This termination aims to address the lack of progress and potential damage to the EU's credibility.

The termination will take effect 12 months after Cameroon is officially notified. The EU plans to explore alternative cooperation methods, such as forest partnerships, to ensure timber legality and promote sustainable development in Cameroon, while also considering the impact on diplomatic and economic relations.