![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timberindustrynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/oak-20-1024x681.jpeg\")
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The sharp increase in the volume of European oak log exports to China in 2022 has prompted efforts by a range of European forest products associations to show to the European Commission (EC) that this trade has \u201creached an unsustainable level and risks jeopardising the viability of the (EU) industry\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n These efforts are being undertaken by EOS alongside the European Panel Federation (EPF), the European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP), the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC), the European Office Furniture Federation (FEMB), and the Italian Federlegno with the help of the legal company Van Bael and Bellis.<\/p>\n To date, according to EOS, the EC has not been convinced of the need to limit exports of oak logs for several reasons:<\/p>\n There is a risk of retaliation as China could take measures in response to any action limiting the export of logs (both in the woodworking industry and in other sectors).<\/p>\n Chinese operators or Europeans acting on their behalf extend the number of possible customers for the forest owners: so, what is bad for the woodworking industry is good for forest owners. It is a market outcome. Therefore, the EC advised the European industry to negotiate and find solutions locally with the forest owners.<\/p>\n The EC has not received factual evidence proving a case of critical shortage of an essential product where the EU interests call for immediate intervention.<\/p>\n Investigations by EC offices in Beijing have found no evidence that the Chinese import trade in logs and associated processing industry are being subsidised contrary to WTO rules.<\/p>\n However, EOS note that the EC is \u201cinterested in keeping the discussion alive and actions to limit the export of logs cannot be completely ruled out\u201d.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The sharp increase in the volume of European oak log exports to China in 2022 has prompted efforts by a range of European forest products associations to show to the European Commission (EC) that this trade has \u201creached an unsustainable … Continue reading