The government of the West African nation of Gambia on Friday revoked with immediate effect all timber export licenses and banned the felling and import of Pterocarpus erinaceus, known as African rosewood. Experts remain skeptical about how effective this ban will be.

Over 40 non-governmental organizations signed last week the Raising the Bar Statement which asks the European Union to strengthen its approach to tackling illegal logging and deforestation when it proposes new regulations in June, according to an Environmental Investigation Agency press release.