Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on negotiations being held at the European Council on the proposed legislation passed by the environment committee of the European Parliament seeking to stop the importation of illegally logged timber into the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27289/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Proposal of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market. This proposal was originally presented to the Council in October 2008 and to the European Parliament in early 2009. A series of meetings involving the Council, the Parliament and the European Commission took place from April to June 2010 with a view to reaching a consensus on the text.

I am pleased to report that agreement on the final text of the proposal has now been reached between the three EU institutions. The Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety considered the agreed text this week and the matter will now proceed to a vote in the Parliament in early July. Similarly I expect that the Council will now move to formally conclude its adoption procedures in early course.