|
Trade in tropical forest products contributes to the
protection of tropical forests
In Switzerland, the use of tropical timber has been a political
issue for years. There have repeatedly been calls for boycotts or bans,
e.g. regarding the import of tropical timber. The Federal Council has
always spoken out against trade bans, instead favouring private voluntary
agreements. In order to implement this policy, the State Secretariat for
Economic Affairs (SECO) is engaged in promoting trade in sustainably produced
products. Producer countries receive technical and institutional support
to achieve the standards required in consumer countries. The most important
partner in the implementation of this policy is the International Tropical
Timber Organization (ITTO).
Within the Federal Administration, SECO is responsible for
sustainable economic development cooperation. With regard to commodities,
it supports selected partner countries in terms of the diversification
of their economic base and the reduction of dependence on exports of raw
materials. The focus is on the promotion of trade in sustainably produced
commodities. This should be achieved, wherever possible, through voluntary
measures and agreements.
In spite of their enormous ecological, economic, social
and cultural value, tropical forests are rarely managed sustainably. By
placing an explicit economic value on them and by financially compensating
for their ecosystem services, tropical forests can be used sustainably
and saved from destruction. In order to do so, tropical countries need
to sell their products to environmentally-aware customers in the high
price markets of industrialised countries and must be able to correctly
assess the environmental services of forests. This means that tropical
countries have to be capable of meeting the ecological and social standards
required to succeed in the international market.
Switzerland offers a lucrative niche and test market for
innovative products and trade modalities, which promote a more ecological
and socially-appropriate style of forest management
Read more about:
Who are the actors?
Why tropical forests?
What commitment?
Why ITTO?
|
