6 December 2001

Brazilian government puts an end to the illegal mahogany trade following Greenpeace investigations

The mahogany industry drives the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and is run by a corrupt industry that is undermining traditional cultures, and leading the illegal destruction of the world's most biologically diverse ancient forest.

But thanks to an unprecedented move by the Brazilian government to suspend all mahogany forest management plans in the Amazon and take measures to protect Indian Lands and conservation areas, the illegal mahogany trade is being stopped.

The decision announced by Hamilton Casara , the President of the Brazilian environmental agency Ibama, follows a series of Greenpeace exposés on illegal mahogany logging and trade in the Amazon.

Between September and October Greenpeace exposed rampant illegalities in the mahogany industry on Indian lands in the Amazon. A report, Partners in Mahogany Crime, was delivered to the federal prosecutor and the environmental authorities. The report revealed the existence of a mahogany mafia and its links with the international timber trade.

Based on the information provided by Greenpeace, Ibama conducted an inspection of areas of illegal logging, forest management plans and sawmills. In a joint operation with Greenpeace, Ibama seized the largest volume of illegal mahogany logs in Brazil's history. Over five days, Greenpeace and Ibama seized a total of 7,165 cubic metres of illegal mahogany worth almost US$7 million on the international market.

Paulo Adario, Greenpeace Amazon coordinator says the illegal mahogany industry has been driving the destruction of the Amazon for years. "Mahogany is responsible for thousands of kilometres of illegal roads opening areas of pristine forest to degradation," said Adario. "Today's historic announcement in effect means an end to the illegal mahogany industry in Brazil."

The government decree suspended all the forest management plans of mahogany, approved by Ibama, in the states of Pará, Mato Grosso and Acre. The Brazilian government excluded those mahogany management plans, which are in the process of being independently certified as coming from well managed forest operations. In addition, the government made certification mandatory for all management plans which surround Indian lands and conservation areas.

"This sends a clear message to the Amazon logging sector and the market place, that they stop illegal logging and go to certification or they are out of business," said Adario.

This work is part of an international campaign by Greenpeace to protect the world's remaining ancient forests. Some 80 percent of these forests have already been degraded or destroyed, and time is running out for the last 20 percent.

Take action: The Government of Brazil is now under pressure from the powerful mahogany industry and needs your support to stick by their decision. Send a letter to the President of Brazil and the Minister of the Environment thanking them for their action and asking them to stick by it.