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DRAFT OPINION (14569/2025 – C100299/2025 – 2025/0259(NLE))

On the draft Council decision on the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Liberia on Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade in timber products to the European Union

DEVE-PA-785189

Committee on Development · Rapporteur: Ana Miranda Paz

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The draft opinion recommends rejecting the Council decision to terminate the EU-Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade, arguing termination would be premature and jeopardise progress.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that the Committee on Development calls on the responsible committee to recommend rejection of the draft Council decision, as termination would be premature.

Key points

  1. The VPA entered into force on 1 December 2013 and aims to bring systemic changes in forest governance, law enforcement, transparency and stakeholder inclusion.
  2. Liberia's forests cover about 68% of its territory, but illegal logging and forest conversion, driven by poverty and cocoa farming, contribute to deforestation.
  3. Liberia lost 0.39% of forest cover between 2010 and 2020 and 390 kha of humid primary forest from 2002 to 2024, a 9.0% decrease.
  4. The EU should encourage partner countries to strengthen import controls and ensure timber complies with legal requirements under national and VPA frameworks.
  5. Liberia's FLEGT licensing scheme is not yet in place and its Timber Legality Assurance System remains non-operational.
  6. Former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and NGOs have argued against termination, citing improved governance and the risk of losing gains.
  7. A forest partnership could replace the VPA only if it maintains inclusive governance, legal coherence, financing, monitoring, capacity-building and policy coherence.
  8. Ending the VPA before a forest partnership is in place would be premature, and future partnerships should involve the European Parliament and align with the EU Deforestation Regulation.
  9. The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on International Trade to recommend rejection of the draft Council decision.

Who is affected

  • The Republic of Liberia and its forest sector, including local communities, civil society and indigenous people, would be affected by termination.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 December 2013: date the VPA entered into force.
  • 68%: share of Liberia's national territory covered by forests.
  • 0.39%: forest cover lost between 2010 and 2020.
  • 390 kha: humid primary forest lost from 2002 to 2024.
  • 9.0%: decrease in humid primary forest area in that period.