Given continuing controversy in the EU over whether Myanmar teak can be traded in compliance with EUTR requirements, importers were surprised by EU import statistics showing a 46% increase in sawn hardwood trade with Myanmar in the first five months of this year. The statistics indicate that much of the rise in trade was destined for Italy, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.  Some NGOs claim that it is not possible, under the existing regulatory framework in Myanmar, for EU importers to gather information sufficient to ensure a negligible risk of teak being from an illegal source in line ...