DNA testing shows 40% of timber imported into Australia was incorrectly labelled

That was the headline which heralded the first results of a nationwide study of  timber imported into Australia, conducted by a team at the University of Adelaide, led by Professor Andrew Lowe, who is also Chief Scientific Advisor to Double Helix Tracking Technologies. 

An Australian first national DNA testing programme was able to verify the species and origin of imported timber sold at retail outlets. Its first round of results, showed that while more than 60% of the species’ labels were accurate, it confirmed close to 40% of timber imported into Australia was incorrectly labelled and therefore considered to be illegally harvested.  

“Australian consumers should be able to buy timber products secure in the knowledge that they are not contributing to illegal harvesting,” Australia’s Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Senator Jonathon Duniam stated in a report from the Australian Forests and Timber News Service, Timberbiz on 9 December.

Double Helix Tracking Technologies, along with the University of Adelaide in Australia, has been instrumental in building a DNA library for timber trees that allows the species and region of origin of timber from forests in Southeast Asia – and all over the world - to be verified.

Professor Lowe’s lab has pioneered DNA testing of timber, which provides unrivalled assurance of product claims and helps demonstrate best-practice due diligence. It is been used extensively to both solve and prevent forest crime.  

“Illegal logging is a major global problem, and the United Nations and Interpol estimate that illegal logging costs the global community up to $206 billion each year,” Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Senator Jonathon Duniam said.

“It is estimated that up to 10%, or $800 million, of Australian timber imports could come from high-risk sources every year.”

Senator Duniam said the compliance testing was conducted to build consumer trust and identify those who trade off illegally harvested products.

“Australia’s forestry industry is sustainable and well-managed, employing over 52,000 hardworking men and women in regional communities across the country, but Australia is not immune to the trade of illegally logged timber,” Senator Duniam said.

“We will always back Aussie timber. But when it comes to imported timber it’s essential consumers can have confidence in the products they’re purchasing.”

Timber samples were purchased from major hardware stores, timber suppliers and furniture stores in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

The products came from various countries and were sold as oak, merbau, meranti, acacia, eucalyptus, pine, rosewood, mahogany and teak varieties.

The samples were sent to the University of Adelaide for testing, which found 60% of the timber species were accurately labelled in the first round of testing.

“In some instances, the timber was labelled incorrectly, and it’s concerning that DNA testing found durian tree had been wrongly labelled as cedar in one instance, while a species of rubber tree was labelled as meranti,” Senator Duniam said.

“The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will now work with retailers to determine where the problems have occurred and identify if there has been any deliberate non-compliance.”

Senator Duniam said that timber importers must have robust due diligence processes to guarantee the accuracy of labelling from their timber suppliers.

Under the Illegal Logging Act Prohibition Act 2012, importers are required to undertake due diligence, including identifying, assessing and managing any risks that the timber may be illegally harvested.

The Department can issue infringement notices for breaches of the regulations, with penalties up to $2664 for individuals and up to $13,320 for body corporates.

The maximum penalty for a serious breach of the legislation can be up to $111,000 for individuals and up to $555,000 for body corporates, and up to five years’ imprisonment.

“Australia was one of the first counties in the world to have these kinds of laws, which demonstrates our commitment to reducing illegal logging globally and providing assurances to Australian consumers,” he said.

“Compliance testing reminds importers and domestic timber processors of their obligations to conduct due diligence to ensure timber species are correctly labelled.”