Indonesia-Europe agree to sign Forest Law

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian and Europe agree to sign Forest Law enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) in the upcoming April 2013. 

"Based on Senior Official Meeting last December 5, after 6 years of discussion, European Union finally recognizes Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK)," Indonesian Minister of Forestry, Zulkifli Hasan, said on Thursday. FLEGT-VPA is a bilateral negotiation between timber producing countries to eradicate illegal logging and market. 

Hasan said Indonesia must complete several requirements before the signing took place. Indonesia must evaluate Shipment Test, finish the Indonesian version of FLEG-VPA, prepare joint press release, hold Joint Preparatory Committee (JPC) to conduct the assessment of SVLK and revise Regulation of Ministry of Forestry no. P.68/Menhut-II/2011. 

Joint press conference between Indonesia and European Union will be held in January 2013. Director General of the Forestry Enterprise Management, Bambang Hendroyono, said starting in January 2013, SVLK would be valid for 26 Harmonized System (HS) Code set by Regulation of Minister of Trade No. 64/2012 on Export of Forestry Products.

Meanwhile, SVLK for 40 HS code will be implemented on January 1, 2014. "The industry that has not obtained SVLK can export with inspection mechanism," he said.