GREENPEACE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL TIMBER IN SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

15 December 1999

Sao Paulo - Greenpeace this morning blocked the main timber trade centre of the city of Sao Paulo in the South of Brazil. During the protest, 20 activists placed signs that read: "Crime! Illegal timber" on lamp posts along Gasometro Street where the timber trade centre is located.

Greenpeace also distributed leaflets demanding the timber suppliers to act to stop illegal logging in the Amazon. This was one of a series of Greenpeace actions at the Sao Paulo market against the consumption of timber that come from illegal and destructive amazon sources

According to Brazilian government data, 80% of the Amazon logging is illegal, leading to increased forest destruction, invasion of national parks and indigenous lands, low-paying jobs and tax evasion. According to Ruy de Goes, Greenpeace Amazon campaign co-ordinator, "Logging companies are spearheading forest destruction. Logging of species with the highest commercial value causes forest fires that transform large tracts of the Amazon into ranches and cattle farms."

Greenpeace is denouncing illegality in the Amazon terrain and is active in the South of Brazil and the markets related to that area. "Around 84% of Amazon timber is consumed by the internal Brazilian market," said Greenpeace Amazon campaigner Ruy de Goes. "The Sao Paulo state alone accounts for 20% of this total. It represents double the amount of France's tropical wood consumption, and France ranks highest in the European market for wood consumption."

Greenpeace used ultra-violet technology last week in a joint action with IBAMA (Brazilian environment agency) proving that the Japanese company Eidai, in Para, buys illegal Amazon timber. Part of Eidai's plywood production is sold in Brazilian markets and can be easily found at the Gasometro street timber supplier shops.

"We want the timber traders to meet the legal requirements. The documentation of origin for the timber is not good enough, as everybody knows of the existence of illegal suppliers and that there is even a price list for buying false documentation" said de Goes. "These timber traders are doing nothing less than fencing stolen goods. We are sure that responsible entrepreneurs don't want to be labelled as thieves. Therefore, we propose a joint initiative to change this illegal situation".

The Greenpeace leaflet recommends the exclusive purchase of timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and that come from sustainable and controlled management areas. A debate with the timber traders associations was also proposed by Greenpeace in an effort to search for measures to fight illegal logging.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
- Ruy de Goes, Greenpeace Brazil Amazon campaigner, +55 11 3066-1180 or +55 11 9997-2071
- Renato Guimaraes, Greenpeace Brazil press officer, +55 11 3066-1178 or +5511 9900-7796