Sanctioned Russia and Belarusian wood being smuggled into UK, study suggests

The article reveals that nearly half of certified birch wood by major sustainability schemes does not match its country of origin, with much of it sourced from Russia and Belarus after sanctions against their exports. Experts warn that existing certification systems may not be reliable enough to ensure accurate claims, potentially bypassing environmental protections. The findings highlight vulnerabilities in current oversight mechanisms and the broader challenges posed by sanctions on European supply chains.