Stuart WilsonStuart WilsonREMREM69a Lensfield Road69a Lensfield RoadCambridge Cambridge CB2 1EN, UK CB2 1EN, UK www.www.remrem.org..org.ukukmail@mail@remrem.org..org.ukukTel: 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