Overview

This bill aims to prevent the sale of illegally sourced timber and wood products within the United Kingdom. It establishes penalties for those who sell, offer for sale, or handle such products, regardless of whether they knew the timber was illegally obtained.

Description

The Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill makes it illegal to sell or offer for sale in the UK any wood or wood products that were illegally harvested, sold, possessed, exported, or imported at any point in their supply chain. The bill defines "wood" broadly to include timber, bamboo, and rattan, and their products.

Who is affected?

The bill affects distributors and importers of wood and wood products. Distributors are defined as anyone professionally selling wood, regardless of the selling method, while importers are those responsible for bringing wood into the UK for commercial purposes.

Offences and Penalties

The bill outlines several offences, including knowingly or recklessly selling illegally sourced wood, attempting to do so, or falsifying related records. Penalties vary depending on the offence and can include fines up to £100,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years. The maximum fine can be increased per consignment of illegally sourced wood. The court may order the forfeiture of the illegally sourced materials.

Government Powers

The Secretary of State can issue regulations to supplement the Act and can increase the specified penalties by order, subject to parliamentary approval.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. However, there may be costs associated with enforcement and the potential need for increased staffing or resources within relevant government departments.

Groups Affected

• Importers and distributors of wood and wood products: They face potential fines and imprisonment if they handle illegally sourced timber.
• Consumers: Indirectly affected through potential price increases or reduced availability of certain wood products.
• Law enforcement agencies: Responsible for enforcing the legislation, requiring resources and training.
• Businesses involved in legal timber trade: May face increased compliance costs to ensure they are not unknowingly selling illegally sourced timber.

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