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REPORT (05673/2025 – C100012/2025 – 2024/0245M(NLE))

Containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union

A-10-2025-0094

Committee on International Trade · Rapporteur: Karin Karlsbro

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on the proposed termination of the EU-Cameroon Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber. It agrees with the Commission that termination is the best option given the VPA's shortcomings, but calls for continued engagement with Cameroon on forestry. The resolution calls for alternatives to ensure timber legality, including a possible forest partnership, and stresses the need for inclusive, transparent processes and parliamentary oversight. It urges Cameroon to combat corruption and illegal logging, and calls on the EU to support sustainable development and align trade with environmental standards.

Committee position. The Committee on International Trade proposes that Parliament agree to the termination of the VPA with Cameroon, while calling for continued engagement and alternatives.

Key points

  1. Regrets the need to end the legally binding VPA with Cameroon, but agrees with the Commission that termination is the best policy option for now.
  2. Calls on the Commission to assess the impact of termination on European businesses and explore support mechanisms to preserve responsible trade channels.
  3. Urges the Commission and the European External Action Service to engage in dialogue with Cameroon to combat illegal logging and support forest conservation.
  4. Urges the Government of Cameroon to stop corruption and address factors fuelling illegal logging, and stresses the importance of protecting human, labour and indigenous rights.
  5. Calls for renewed cooperation to develop new practices and governance mechanisms to address forestry zoning and management plan failures.
  6. Calls on the Commission to explore alternatives, including a forest partnership, and stresses the need for a thorough diagnostic before negotiations.
  7. Stresses the need for meaningful and timely involvement of Parliament in VPA implementation and future forest partnerships, and asks the Commission to report regularly.
  8. Underlines that the EU should remain fully committed to existing VPAs and promote new ones, as they facilitate transparent forest management.
  9. Calls on the Commission to ensure coherence between EU trade and sustainability frameworks, and to provide technical assistance to partner countries.

Who is affected

  • The Government of Cameroon and its forest sector, which will face the end of the VPA framework and continued pressure to improve governance.
  • European businesses operating in or sourcing from Cameroon, which may be affected by the termination and need support.
  • Civil society in Cameroon, which may lose a dialogue platform and faces a shrinking civic space.
  • Indigenous and local communities, whose rights and participation are emphasized in future cooperation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 18 million hectares of forest in Cameroon, about 40% of its territory.
  • 900,000 hectares of forest cover lost between 2011 and 2022, 5% of the country's forest cover.
  • Cameroon ranks 140th out of 180 on the Corruption Perceptions Index.

Legal basis: Article 207(4) and Article 218(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union