Wood identification to combat illegal timber trade: the situation in Italy

Abstract

Fighting illegal timber trade is both a local and a global issue. The regulations in force to control timber trade recognize wood identification as a critical tool for enforcing and prosecuting cases of unauthorized or prohibited trade. However, around the world this level of scrutiny is seldom applied. This article is addressed to those in Italy involved, in various capacities, with controlling the illegal trade of wood products, who are concerned about the vulnerabilities of the current protection protocols, and curious to learn about simple corrective measures that will make inspection controls in Italy more effective.

Keywords

• Timber Regulation
• Wood Identification
• Wood Species
• Microscopic Wood Identification
• Macroscopic Wood Identification