On the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and timber products to the European Union (FLEGT)
DEVE-PA-756017
Committee on Development · Rapporteur: Carlos Zorrinho
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This is a draft opinion by the Committee on Development on the proposed Council decision to conclude the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the EU and Côte d'Ivoire on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber. It calls on the Committee on International Trade to recommend approval.¶ The opinion sets out the background: Côte d'Ivoire's high deforestation, its 2019 Forestry Code, the role of the forest industry and the inclusive VPA negotiations, and says EU assistance should be strengthened for implementation.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the VPA between the EU and Côte d'Ivoire.¶
Key points
- The Commission negotiated the VPA with Côte d'Ivoire from 2013 and concluded negotiations in October 2022.¶
- Côte d'Ivoire has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world; in 2020 only 8.9 % (2.8 million hectares) of its land was forest, down from 24.7% in 1990.¶
- Causes of forest loss include extensive agriculture, cocoa trade, poorly controlled exploitation for timber and wood energy, and weak legal enforcement by public authorities.
- The Ivorian government aims to increase forest coverage to 20% by 2030 and launched the National Programme for the Environment and Forests in 2014.¶
- The 2019 Forestry Code added agro-forests, community forests and sacred forests to the classified list and requires local communities to be involved in forest management and protection.
- The forest industry contributes to the economy and livelihoods, but much is foreign owned and only a few of 40 species processed and exported are known, leading to overexploitation; around 50% of Ivorian timber exports go to the EU.¶
- Government, civil society, private sector and indigenous peoples took part in the VPA negotiations, including designing a roadmap, supporting inclusive forest policy and a new forest ownership regime.¶
- The Agreement aims to ensure legality across the timber-forestry sector and trade with the EU, help Côte d'Ivoire manage natural resources better, give women a prominent role, and fight illegal logging.
- Successful implementation depends on Côte d'Ivoire's sustained commitment and political will, and EU assistance should be strengthened as part of the 2025-2027 programming review of the EU bilateral programme.¶
- The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on International Trade to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision concluding the VPA.¶
Who is affected
- Côte d'Ivoire: the agreement covers its timber sector and forest governance, and its government must sustain commitment for implementation.¶¶
- EU timber importers and traders: the agreement aims to ensure legality of timber and timber products traded with the EU.
- Ivorian local communities and indigenous peoples: the 2019 Forestry Code requires their involvement in forest management and protection.¶
- Women in Côte d'Ivoire: the agreement supports their prominent role in forest resource management.
Figures and deadlines
- 8.9 % (2.8 million hectares) of Côte d'Ivoire land area covered by forests as of 2020¶
- 24.7% forest cover in 1990
- target of 20% forest coverage by 2030¶
- 40 exotic and local forest species processed and exported as timber¶
- around 50% of Ivorian timber exports destined to the EU
- EU bilateral programme period 2025-2027¶