EU-Cameroon Trade Agreement on Timber Trade

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EU-Cameroon Trade Agreement Ensures Timber Legality from One of Africa's Biggest Exporters of Tropical Timber. The European Union (EU) and the Government of Cameroon announced on 6. May 2010 a trade agreement in which Africa’s biggest exporter of tropical hardwood to Europe has agreed to ensure wood traded within the country and shipped from Cameroon to the EU and other destinations worldwide contains no illegal timber. Cameroon has committed itself to implement a comprehensive programme to press ahead the country’s reform process, including further strengthening its control of the forest sector and community rights. The EU has committed to excluding unlicensed timber from the whole EU market while providing assistance to Cameroon for enforcement and auditing systems.

The EU is Cameroon's main market for sawn timber (80%) which goes particularly to Italy and Spain. China is the main market destination for its log exports (60%). Cameroon, custodian of about 20 million hectares of tropical forests, exports about USD 481 million in timber and timber products Round Wood Equivalent (RWE), the majority of which—about USD 362 million worth—is purchased by the 27 EU member states [data for 2006]. In addition to its lead role in exports Cameroon is the important processing hub of tropical timber for the region.