The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation is just around the corner, marking a significant step towards deforestation-free consumption habits. But with this big step comes an equally important challenge: ensuring deforestation-free supply chains. The EMMA4EU team has selected 20 case studies that aim to address this challenge head-on. Among these is the forensic timber tracing study designed to verify traded wood origin declarations, carried out by the Timtrace team.
Within the Timtrace project, Laura E. Boeschoten and I (Barbara), along with the support of many dedicated professionals, tackled the complexities of timber tracing by employing chemical and genetic methods for Azobé (Lophira alata). By combining two chemical and one genetic method we obtained fine-scale (>100km) accurate identification of timber origins: 88% of trees were assigned within 10km and 94% within 100km from true origin. These techniques are not just crucial, they are essential in bridging the gap between the EUDR and its enforcement. Curious about how we achieved these results? You can watch our detailed work in action here: Chemical and Genetic Timber Tracing.
This study wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative efforts of a diverse team of experts: Pieter Zuidema, Arjen de Groot, René Smulders, Mart Vlam, Ute Sass-Klaassen, Guy Herman ZANGUIM TCHOUTEZOU, Arnoud Boom, Gaël Bouka, Jannici C.U. Ciliane-Madikou, Nestor L Engone Obiang, Mesly NGUIESHON ENGONGORO, Joël LOUMETO, Dien-merci M.F. Mbika, Cynel Gwenael MOUNDOUNGA, Rita Ndangani , Dyana Ndiade Bourobou, Steve Tassiamba, Martin Tchamba , Bijoux B.L. Toumba-Paka, and Pascaline T. Zemtsa.
The efforts of the Timtrace team are just one part of a larger puzzle. The 20 case studies selected by the EMMA4EU team cover a wide range of approaches and solutions. Explore the other case studies by clicking HERE.
Barbara Rocha Venancio Meyer-Sand