LEGISLATION to block illegally logged timber from being imported has become embroiled in an ideological trade debate between the federal public service and the Government.

The Age believes that members of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are "seriously agitating" for a voluntary program based on a European model and existing measures.

That is despite a 2007 election commitment by the Rudd Government to develop strong measures including "requiring disclosure at point-of-sale of species, country of origin and any certification" and "identifying illegally-logged timber and restrict its import into Australia".

Illegal timber, estimated in a 2006 government report to make up about 8 per cent of all imported timber, is worth about $400 million. Most illegal logging occurs in Pacific island and South-East Asian nations.

Those public servants advocating for what has been called "the radical free-trade policy" are now pushing for more voluntary measures, such as those favoured by the Howard government.

Australian forestry industry groups are also expecting the Government's legislation to be similar to the European scheme, which has a number of voluntary measures, after discussions with the Forestry Department.

Alan Oxley, a Melbourne lobbyist acting for the Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association and PNG's largest forestry company, Rimbunan Hijau, sent a letter in January to all senators urging them to reject criticisms of PNG logging practices and look towards voluntary illegal-logging legislation.

Mr Oxley told The Age the Government should focus on aid programs to nations where illegal logging occurs and walk away from more prescriptive measures, which he said contravened World Trade Organisation agreements signed by Australia.

He said he believed the policy could not be implemented. "Political parties make all kind of promises during an election campaign and they will probably have to walk away from this one."

But Greenpeace forests campaigner Grant Rosoman, in Port Moresby, dismissed Mr Oxley's arguments and pointed to a soon-to-be-introduced US scheme, which would seek to require proof of legality at the point of importation.