Overview

This bill aims to prohibit the sale of illegally sourced timber and wood products in the United Kingdom. It establishes penalties for those who sell, offer for sale, or attempt to sell such products, regardless of whether the seller knew the timber was illegally sourced. The bill also covers the falsification of related records.

Description

The Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill defines "wood" as timber, bamboo, or rattan and their products. It designates "distributor" and "importer" as those who manufacture, sell, import, or export wood commercially within the UK. The bill makes it an offence to sell or offer for sale any wood illegally harvested, exported, or imported. This includes those who act recklessly or falsify records. Penalties vary significantly according to the specific offence committed and whether the act was committed knowingly or not. Penalties range from fines of up to £100,000 and prison sentences up to 5 years for knowingly selling illegally-sourced wood, down to fines for less serious offenses committed in good faith. The Secretary of State has the power to increase these penalties. The court can order the forfeiture of any illegally sourced wood products. The bill also allows the Secretary of State to create supplementary regulations.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any increase or decrease in government spending. However, there may be costs associated with enforcement and prosecution of offences under the act, as well as potential costs related to the creation and implementation of any supplementary regulations.

Groups Affected

• Importers and distributors of wood: These groups face potential penalties for selling illegally sourced timber, impacting their businesses and potentially leading to fines or imprisonment. The impact will depend on their knowledge of the timber's origin.
• Consumers of wood products: Indirectly affected, as the availability of certain wood products might be reduced, and prices may increase.
• Law enforcement agencies: Responsible for enforcing the bill, leading to increased workload and potential resource allocation requirements.
• The environment: The bill aims to protect forests by reducing demand for illegally harvested timber.

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