GREENPEACE ACKNOWLEDGES PRECIOUS WOODS AS A PRIME MODEL FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT IN THE AMAZON

30 May 2000

Itacoatiara, Brazil. 30 May 2000 -- Greenpeace today applauded the logging company Precious Woods Amazon (1) for its commitment to ecologically responsible logging in tropical rainforest ecosystems. During a meeting onboard Greenpeace's vessel, the Amazon Guardian, Precious Woods presented their declaration (2), which was the outcome of negotiations and on-site forest inspections with Greenpeace experts that lasted more than a year. The declaration includes:

* Frequent comparisons between a set-aside forest reserve and the logged tracts to constantly improve forest management;

* Setting clear logging limits to guarantee that 85% of standing tree volume always remain in the forest;

* No application of pesticides, other chemicals or alien organisms, in order to maintain the natural state of the forest; and

* Minimization of silviculture so that native trees species composition will not be altered.

Precious Woods, the only logging operation in the Amazon rainforest certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. FSC (3), is, through this declaration, exceeding the current certification requirements of the FSC. The FSC is the only credible international system that certifies well-managed forests from legal logging operations. FSC certified wood carries a label recognizable by consumers world-wide.

"This forest management scheme should serve as a model for logging in ancient forests. An approach such as this is the best safeguard against destructive logging, and against illegal logging, which the Brazilian government themselves admits is 80% of all logging in the Amazon," said Roberto Kishinami, Greenpeace Brazil’s Executive Director. "It is proof that the logging industry can work in a responsible, ecologically sound manner, and will also contribute to further improvements to FSC standards world-wide.

"Ecological logging, combined with other activities such as rubber tapping, ecotourism, demarcation of indigenous lands, and the extension of protected areas, will guarantee a secure and diverse economic and ecological future for the Amazon", Kishinami concluded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
- Christoph Thies, Greenpeace International Forest Campaigner in Brazil, +55929989 2669
- Roberto Kishinami in Itacoatiara, Brazil ++551191697955
- Gina Sanchez in Amsterdam: ++31653128907
- Background footage and stills available from Greenpeace.

(2) See annexed Declaration of Precious Woods Amazon

(3) The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organisation that promotes independent, third party certification of well-managed forests and the labelling of products from such forests for use by forest product consumers. It was founded in 1993 by over 100 representatives from environmental, social and business interests from around the world, with the goal of promoting a common international set of basic principles and criteria for judging and certifying well-managed forests. The FSC standards also include a number of socially responsible practises, improving working and safety conditions throughout the entire production process.

(4) The Greenpeace vessel, the Amazon Guardian, is currently touring the Brazilian Amazon to expose illegal logging in the region.