The VLS Working Group submitted its report to the Steering Committee at the end of February. The working group essentially endorsed the proposals submitted by the FC and SGS and reviewed favourably by ProForest in 2007.
The Working Group recommends that the WTS feed up to a Timber Validation Entity, which will issue certificates of legal origin and certificates of legal compliance to exporters. These certificates will be requirements for FC export licenses. The creation of the TVE will involve some changes to the functions of the FC (TIDD) and CEPS to eliminate duplication, loopholes, delays and unnecessary costs. The Policy Committee has recommended that the TVE be entirely independent of both the FC and MLFM possibly with a legal status similar to that of CHRAJ and NEC under Ghana’s constitution.
