Stuart WilsonStuart WilsonREMREM69a Lensfield Road69a Lensfield RoadCambridge Cambridge CB2 1EN, UK CB2 1EN, UK www.www.remrem.org..org.ukukmail@[email protected]: 00(44)1223 314 589 Tel: 00(44)1223 314 589 Fax: 00(44)1223 359 048Fax: 00(44)1223 359 048
Issues to CoverIssues to Cover
Relationship between IM-FLEG and FLEG-TRelationship between IM-FLEG and FLEG-T Information flowsInformation flows Institutional ArrangementsInstitutional Arrangements
Potential problems Potential problems Evolution in illegalityEvolution in illegality
The need for consultationThe need for consultation
Independent Monitoring of Forest Law Independent Monitoring of Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in Enforcement and Governance in
CameroonCameroon(IM-FLEG)(IM-FLEG)
Work with government services in the field Work with government services in the field and the officeand the office
We publish our findings (field and thematic We publish our findings (field and thematic reports: - www.rem.org.uk) reports: - www.rem.org.uk)
Make recommendations for a way forwardMake recommendations for a way forward
FLEG-T and IM-FLEGFLEG-T and IM-FLEG
The existence of an IM-FLEG type project is The existence of an IM-FLEG type project is previewed as being an element of VPAspreviewed as being an element of VPAs
The findings of an IM should be considered in The findings of an IM should be considered in the Verification of Legal Origin (VLO) processthe Verification of Legal Origin (VLO) process
When the IM (or other) documents/reports a suspected When the IM (or other) documents/reports a suspected offence or breach of procedureoffence or breach of procedure
When A PV (Official Statement of Offence) is When A PV (Official Statement of Offence) is establishedestablished
When the defendant is found guilty When the defendant is found guilty
Institutional arrangementsInstitutional arrangements
(IM-FLEG) + (FLEG-T/VPA) > IM-FLEG-T
is: IM-FLEG-T = VLObody
I would suggest that this is not true and that there are several variables missing from the equation. Including:
CBOs, NGOs, PS and GLES&OPOTA
Information flowsInformation flows
VLO Audit body responsible for checks against
identified criteria
Government services: SIGIF and SIGICOF
Private sector
local and international NGOs, CBOs Others
Log tracking organisations, Certification bodies and processes
Organisations monitoring exports (SGS)
Independent Monitoring (IM-FLEG)
Certificate of Legal Origin
Government services: SIGIF and… SIGICOF
Current FLEG issues in CameroonCurrent FLEG issues in Cameroon
The VPA process should be aware of the general state The VPA process should be aware of the general state of play in the sector.of play in the sector. Problems with SIGIFProblems with SIGIF
SIGIFSIGIF is seen as a key system in the control and verification of is seen as a key system in the control and verification of documentation:documentation:
Used exclusively for tax collection purposes (5Used exclusively for tax collection purposes (5 thth quarterly report) quarterly report) Many titles allocated outside of procedures are registered in SIGIF. Many titles allocated outside of procedures are registered in SIGIF.
(See Mission report No.31 which looks at over 30 titles) which (See Mission report No.31 which looks at over 30 titles) which undermines the credibility of the SIGIF data.undermines the credibility of the SIGIF data.
Evolution of suspected infractionsEvolution of suspected infractions
From: large scale logging out of bounds (The famous case From: large scale logging out of bounds (The famous case of FMU 10-030 and SFH) of FMU 10-030 and SFH)
In Sale of Standing Volume and Timber Recovery titles, logging In Sale of Standing Volume and Timber Recovery titles, logging out of limits remains a problem. out of limits remains a problem.
To: Document based fraud Including in FMUs and To: Document based fraud Including in FMUs and Community Forests: Community Forests:
None of the 30 Timber Recovery Permits investigated in Mission None of the 30 Timber Recovery Permits investigated in Mission report No.31 had an EIA. 83% had no inventory. 66% were report No.31 had an EIA. 83% had no inventory. 66% were allocated for timber already felled (illegally) – paperwork allocated allocated for timber already felled (illegally) – paperwork allocated is used for laundering timber in transport. is used for laundering timber in transport.
11 out of 19 logging sites visited had not respected Article 125 of 11 out of 19 logging sites visited had not respected Article 125 of the decree of application which requires daily completion of field the decree of application which requires daily completion of field documents, leading to tax lossdocuments, leading to tax loss
Database of investigations and Database of investigations and legal caseslegal cases
The concept was presented in 2002, delivered in March The concept was presented in 2002, delivered in March 2005. It has not been used, no data has been entered into 2005. It has not been used, no data has been entered into the system.the system.
SIGICOF should be a valuable source of information to SIGICOF should be a valuable source of information to VPA implementationVPA implementation
The case of FMU 10 030 raises interesting questions for The case of FMU 10 030 raises interesting questions for VLO and the standards to be applied VLO and the standards to be applied
Further training was provided yesterday after a change of Further training was provided yesterday after a change of staff in the Ministrystaff in the Ministry
ConclusionsConclusions That any proposed system should have a solid baseThat any proposed system should have a solid base
SIGIF needs workSIGIF needs work SIGICOF needs implementingSIGICOF needs implementing
The VLO process should consider a wide range of inputs, The VLO process should consider a wide range of inputs, including those of Independent Monitoring projectsincluding those of Independent Monitoring projects
The VLO body should be ‘pro-active’ in its approachThe VLO body should be ‘pro-active’ in its approach There should be greater (breadth and depth) consultation in There should be greater (breadth and depth) consultation in
country on the VPA and implementing mechanismscountry on the VPA and implementing mechanisms These comments should be taken as constructive criticism These comments should be taken as constructive criticism
and the presentation of issues that need consideration to and the presentation of issues that need consideration to achieve the goals set for FLEGTachieve the goals set for FLEGT
Independent Monitor’s FindingsIndependent Monitor’s Findings
There are three different There are three different project outputsproject outputs Mission reports: which could Mission reports: which could
feed directly into FLEGT feed directly into FLEGT VLO bodiesVLO bodies
Quarterly reports: which Quarterly reports: which provide detailed thematic provide detailed thematic analysisanalysis
Annual reports: providing an Annual reports: providing an overview of the year’s overview of the year’s activitiesactivities
All reports can be found atAll reports can be found at
www.www.remrem.org..org.ukuk
Thank youThank you
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