Reforms in Burma could mark end of import ban on teak

At their council meeting in Brussels on 23 January 2012, the EU foreign ministers held out the prospect of loosening or even lifting the sanctions against the military regime in Burma since 2006. The EU says this rapprochement is attributable to the programme of reforms underway in Burma. If these measures are carried through, the EU import ban imposed on precious woods from Burma in February 2008 could be lifted as well in the foreseeable future. The ban prohibits imports of sawlogs and veneer logs, lumber, planed products, wood-based panels, veneer, and wooden furniture directly from Burma and indirectly via other countries. This mainly affects the teak trade. In April 2011, the EU foreign ministers had decided to extend the sanctions for another twelve months.