The Timber Producers Association of Zambia has welcomed pronouncement by the Government that it is in the process of coming up with legislation that will facilitate auctioning of Mukula timber on an open market to foreign entities.

Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata last week said Government is in the process of coming up with legislation that will facilitate the harvesting and auctioning of Mukula timber on an open market to foreign entities.

Ms Kapata said government is of the view that doing so will go a long way in reducing the illegal harvesting and selling of the Mukula tree.

Ms Kapata said her Ministry is committed to ensuring that proceeds from the Mukula tree benefit all Zambians and not a few individuals who have been harvesting it illegally.

But Timber Producers Association of Zambia Vice President Charles Masange tells Money FM News that sometime back the association wrote to cabinet proposing that timber should be auctioned in an open market as this will enable the government get its fair share from timber trading.

He however cautions government to ensure that there will be no middle men in the sale of timber during the auctioning process.