Give the EU’s illegal timber policy a chance | Letters

Your article "'No evidence' that EU's illegal timber policy is working" (theguardian.com, 10 February) does not mention the huge challenge the EU timber regulation (EUTR) represents, nor the timber industry's achievements in implementing it to date and wider commitment to eradicating illegal wood.

The regulation entails every member state company that "first places" timber and other forest products on the EU market putting all suppliers through due diligence illegality risk assessment. Given that many suppliers are in countries with underdeveloped governance and infrastructure, this can be highly complex. Every EU country has also had to establish new structures for EUTR enforcement. So it's small wonder that, after just three years, it remains a work in progress. But the timber industry acknowledges this and, notably via the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF), is urging improved implementation.