The European Parliament has voted for a Directive that should help create a level playing field in the international timber sector.

The vote took place on 7 July 2010 and marks a major milestone in 10 years of campaigning on the trade of illegal timber in the EU.

Campaigning for the ban involved massive support from activists from the UK and across Europe.

Geert Ritsema, Friends of the Earth Europe says "This law, if properly enforced, will have a huge positive impact on the world's forests and their inhabitants. It will also mean that developing countries will finally start benefiting from the revenues that, until now, have disappeared due to illegal trade."

So, What's in the law?

The new law requires timber merchants to be transparent about the origin of their wood.  They have to assess and reduce the possibility that their wood is illegally sourced - potentially cut and sold to them without correct permits.

All merchants have to give information on where their timber is bought and sold.

These measures will provide more transparency in the chain of trade and will reduce the risk of illegal timber appearing on the market.

Check www.foe.co.uk for more campaigning