NGOs call for FLEGT Action Plan to be strengthened

In this briefing, UK and European NGOs call on the EU to maintain, upgrade and strengthen its FLEGT programme. Key recommendations include the need to take specific measures to ensure that FLEGT in general, and VPAs and timber legality assurance systems specifically, include language on compliance with international human rights law as an essential element of “legality” in timber supply chains.

This will ensure coherence with the EU’s own human rights policies and objectives, as outlined in its Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019). Proposals for more robust information disclosure requirements and a grievance mechanism for forest peoples and CSOs are also included in the submission.