During a meeting with timber dealers in Lusaka, lands, natural resources and environmental protection minister Wylbur Simuusa said all timber licenses that were valid at the time of the ban, but expired thereafter would be extended. "With effect from July 1, 2013, the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection through the Forestry Department will put in place new conditions that will govern the sustainable management of our resources," he said.

Simuusa said all timber dealers would be required to renew their licences under the new conditions to be announced. "All illegal logging, overcutting and other similar breaches will be dealt with severely," said Simuusa."