EUROPE TO REJECT BRAZILIAN MAHOGANY IMPORTS

29 March 2002

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Greenpeace received documentation today confirming that the European Commission is now warning all European countries to reject Brazilian mahogany. The advice comes in the wake of a ban on mahogany trade by the Brazilian government and the controversy surrounding a number of powerful mahogany exporters who took legal action and were allowed by a court decision to continue to traffic illegally acquired mahogany.

In an advisory note (1), dated 26 March, the Head of the Directorate of E3-Development and Environment of the Commission “advises Member States not to accept export permits for specimens of [MAHOGANY] Swietenia macrophylla from Brazil until further notice, without first obtaining from the Brazilian authorities a statement that those specimens were legally acquired.” (2)

Last October, the Brazilian environmental agency (IBAMA) suspended indefinitely the trading of mahogany following evidence of widespread illegal logging on public and Indian lands (3). IBAMA maintains that “all the stocks of mahogany awaiting internal and external marketing are illegal.”(4) Between 20 December 2001, when the ban was issued, and March 2002, at least eight companies have exported over 15,000 cubic meters of mahogany with an export value of approximately US$11 million.

The decision by the commission follows announcements made by the German and Belgian governments to stop mahogany being imported into their countries and from entering the trade. Following a Greenpeace action on a shipment in Germany last month, 300 cubic meters of mahogany, imported by DLH, the world’s largest international trader of mahogany, have been confiscated by the German authorities.

In Belgium, based on evidence provided by Greenpeace, the government requested Dutch authorities stop a consignment for the Belgian trader Bomoco entering Belgium. Today, another consignment in Belgium destined for the Italian importer Laster Spa, was seized.

"The advice from the European Commission is a strong and resounding signal that European governments must take immediate steps to end the trade in mahogany until it can be proven it comes from legitimate legal sources," said Paulo Adario, Greenpeace Amazon Campaign Co-ordinator. “The case clearly shows that international action and cooperation is essential if we are to stop destruction in the Amazon and other ancient forests around the world. The US, the most important market for Amazon wood, must also follow the European example.”

In the UK, Greenpeace has received approval from the Appeal Courts of Justice to take the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to Judicial Review over imports of Brazilian mahogany. Last month, the government refused to seize a shipment of over 800 cubic meters of mahogany and allowed the importer to sell it into the timber trade. The UK is the largest European market for mahogany.

In the Netherlands, Dutch authorities have confirmed to Greenpeace that they will re-assess the species, quantities, and documents of mahogany that have entered the country, check with CITIES headquarters in Geneva and with IBAMA in Brazil as to the status of the wood and they will ask for proof that the mahogany is from a legal source.

“It’s beyond reason that while across Europe other governments have taken decisive action to stop this trade, the British government has chosen to allow the timber industry to profit from illegal mahogany even as Greenpeace takes them to court,” said Andy Tait, Greenpeace forest campaigner in London. “Given the advice from the European Commission, it remains to be seen if the British government will seek to redeem its stated aims in controlling the illegal timber trade and seize last month’s shipment of mahogany.”

Greenpeace is urging governments around world to commit to stop further industrial activities in intact ancient forests until responsible plans for forest conservation and sustainable use have been agreed; ensuring that timber is produced and traded in a legal and ecologically responsible way (6) and providing at least US$15 billion each year to pay for forest conservation and sustainable development.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Phil Aikman, Greenpeace Forests Campaigner, +44 7801 212 995

Gina Sanchez, Greenpeace Press Desk, +31 627 000 064

1. In order for such export permits to be valid under the convention, the Management Authority must be satisfied that the specimens were not obtained in contravention of the laws of the State for the protection of fauna and flora. Article 4(3)(a) of Council Regulation 338/97 in turn requires that such export permits be issued in accordance with the terms of the Convention.

2. Note to the Management Authorities of the Member States from Christoph Bail, Head of Global and International Affairs, Directorate-General Environment, European Commission. 26 March 2002. Copy available on request.

3. IBAMA issued Decree Instrução Normativa No. 17 on 19 October 2001 "suspending the transportation, processing and commercialisation of mahogany for an indefinite time". This decree remains in force. The banning of mahogany logging in three Amazon states (Para, Mato Grosso and Acre) was imposed through Decree No. 22 of 5 December.

4. IBAMA press release - 7 February 2002.

5. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is the only independent certification system that meets credible international ecological standards, incorporates balanced interests of social, economic and environmental groups, and has a widely supported and globally recognised label. The FSC system assures integrity of the chain of custody from the extraction of wood, through processing to the final consumer. The FSC offers the best available guarantee that logging practices are legal and do not lead to ancient forest destruction.