An interview with Alain Karsenty, CIRAD by Tullia Baldassarri Hoeger von Hoegersthal, Communication, ATIBT - ATIBT : Why study the causes of the contraction of the demand for FSC timber? Alain Karsenty : Companies based in Central Africa have experienced a decline in the sales of FSC wood compared to sales of non-FSC wood in Europe. A hypothesis made by some observers was that this could be a consequence of the implementation of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR, March 2013) that prohibits importing illegal timber into the EU...

ATIBT : Why study the causes of the contraction of the demand for FSC timber?

Alain Karsenty : Companies based in Central Africa have experienced a decline in the sales of FSC wood compared to sales of non-FSC wood in Europe. A hypothesis made by some observers was that this could be a consequence of the implementation of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR, March 2013) that prohibits importing illegal timber into the EU. The implementation of this regulation could be interpreted by some buyers as sufficient in order to reassure end-users of their tropical timber purchases, in particular those who do not necessarily give great importance to the distinction between legality and sustainability, or those who consider the legality criteria as already included in the sustainability one, including forest management and social achievements listed in the set of specifications. The purchase of FSC certified wood would be less justified in the eyes of those buyers.

ATIBT : What is the magnitude of the study? Which sources have been used?

Alain Karsenty : The study is focused on Central Africa. We have interviewed 16 concession holders selling FSC wood and non-FSC wood and 11 of them responded. At the EU level, we have also contacted 57 importers of tropical wood in 7 European countries; 33 responded. As for end customers, out of the 17 questioned, 12 responded. We have also used various reports available and the bimonthly ITTO market report. Finally, we have interviewed the national timber federations in Europe and resource persons working on this subject.

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