And so was circumventing direct imports put under sanction, for example through re-labelling, re-packaging and re-routing via third countries. Market data shows that trade flows from third countries are still existing, especially in birch plywood and to a lesser extent, Siberian larch timber. Some of these trade flows are even growing, despite the fact that in most cases the exporting country does not have significant forest resources in either larch or birch logs, not to mention industry to process/produce products thereof.

ETTF and members see a significant threat to EU industry and EU traders abiding the sanctions, as illegally sourced products with Russian and Belarussian origin are in either violation of the sanctions and / or at least in breach of the EUTR – for a market price that is often well below legally sourced goods from other sources.

Please find attached another communication on this matter and please feel free to circulate. (nop)