Raül Romeva i Rueda (Verts/ALE), in writing. - In favour. Formal approval of the partner countryʼs licensing scheme is perhaps the most important act in implementing the EUʼs FLEGT policy. It has to be ensured that only certified timber enters the EU market. The Greens therefore suggested that this be done by a delegated act, which gives Parliament also a right to veto. However, this idea was dismissed by Parliamentʼs Legal Department as not admissible, given that approval of a licensing scheme does not alter the basic FLEGT act. The Greens then welcomed the Council proposal to have the ‘silent procedureʼ of the Implementing Act reversed for the approval of the licensing scheme. That means that if the Council does not establish a position, the Commission cannot approve the proposal for an Implementing Act. However, this option has been dismissed in trilogues since Parliament insisted that the Council should not have its powers increased where Parliament has no say at all. Reversal of the ‘silent procedureʼ is moreover not provided for in the Implementing Act procedure. Since the Council did not insist, the Greens could not come out in favour of a procedure grossly altering the balance of powers between the two legislators.