Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Retail, Wholesale and Distribution) Bill | TrackPolitics

Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Retail, Wholesale and Distribution) Bill

A Bill to prohibit the retail, wholesale and distribution in the United Kingdom of timber and wood products that were obtained or produced illegally in their country of origin; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

8 April 2010

In Plain English

AI-generated

This Bill would prohibit the retail, wholesale and distribution in the UK of timber and wood products that were obtained illegally in their country of origin. It would require traders to verify the legal origin of products and would create penalties for non-compliance. The aim is to keep illegally sourced timber out of UK markets and support legitimate forestry.

Key Points

Prohibits sale, distribution or wholesale of illegally sourced timber and wood products in the UK
Introduces due diligence/verification of legal origin for suppliers and traders
Applies to all stages of the UK supply chain: retailers, wholesalers and distributors
Establishes enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance
Aligns with international efforts to curb illegal logging and promote sustainable sourcing

Progress

Currently at the second reading in the House of Commons; if it progresses, it will move to committee stage for detailed scrutiny, before potentially moving to the House of Lords.

Who is affected?

UK timber retailers, wholesalers and distributorsImporters and manufacturers of timber and wood productsConstruction, furniture, packaging and other wood-using industriesCompliance, procurement and legal teams within businessesTrade bodies and industry associations representing the timber sectorEnforcement agencies (Trading Standards, Border Force, HMRC) and DEFRAUK consumers (indirectly through prices and availability)

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Retail, Wholesale and Distribution)

1 Jan 1970

On 16 March 2010, the House of Commons was asked, under the Ten Minute Rule motion, to give leave for this Bill to be introduced. The sponsor was allowed 10 minutes to support the Bill and there was ten minutes for other MPs to comment. The House agreed and the Bill was read a first time.

Private Member's Bills are often not printed until close to a Second Reading debate. If the text of the Bill is not available on these pages and you want information about the Bill then you would need to contact the Member sponsoring the Bill.

The 2009-10 session of parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.