New Zealand Legislation: Bills

5 New section 54A inserted

• The following sections are inserted after section 54:

  “54A Prohibited timber imports

  • “(1) It is unlawful to import into New Zealand timber and wood products not from a verified legal and certified sustainable source.

    “(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) only those verification and certification schemes listed under Schedule 11 should be accepted as having been produced legally and sustainably.

  “54B Amendment to Schedule 11

  • “(1) The Governor-General may on the recommendation of the Minister, by Order in Council, amend Schedule 11 by adding or omitting verification or certification schemes from that list.

    “(2) When making a recommendation to the Governor-General under subsection (1) the Minister must have regard to:

    • “(a) evidence of impartiality of the scheme from commercial interests; and

    • “(b) international best practice regarding legal and sustainable forestry; and

    • “(c) enhancing New Zealand’s reputation as a supporter of legal and sustainable forestry; and

    • “(d) international best practice systems and performance standards for legal verification and forest management certification schemes.

    “(3) Before making a recommendation under subsection (1) the Minister must consult with persons he or she considers are affected by the proposed amendment.”