Archived press release

More on illegal mahogany logging

15 November 1994

A Friends of the Earth report published today shows how virtually all mahogany coming from the Brazilian Amazon has either been taken illegally from protected areas or has not been subject to any official control [1]. Official Brazilian Government documents contained in the report reveal dozens of instances of illegal logging during 1993 and 1994.

Many of the illegal activities were undertaken by companies belonging to the timber industry body AIMEX [2}. In 1992, members of AIMEX signed an agreement to only obtain mahogany from legal sources. However, the report shows how several AIMEX members have, since the agreement was signed two years ago, illegally extracted millions of dollars worth of mahogany from indigenous and other protected areas [3].

The report also shows how companies logging Brazilian mahogany have:

- smuggled mahogany; - falsified relevant documents; - failed to submit relevant documents to the authorities.

Environmental groups at the ninth CITES [4] meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are calling on Governments to support a proposal to list mahogany in the Convention's register of species subject to international regulation.

Friends of the Earth Campaigner Tony Juniper, speaking from the conference, said;

"This new evidence demonstrates yet again how the cutting of mahogany is out of control. The timber industry cannot be trusted to stamp out the illegal trade and the Brazilian authorities clearly unable to effectively police the scattered clumps of mahogany that remain. International regulation would help bring these companies into line and

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PAGE 2 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH save mahogany stocks for the benefit of the Brazilian people".

ENDS

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The report "An Independent Investigation on Illegal Practices in Mahogany Logging and Trade in the Brazilian Amazon" was conducted during October 1994 by Friends of the Earth International's Amazonia Programme. The report draws heavily on unpublished official documents compiled by Brazil's environmental and Indian Affairs agencies.

Copies of the report with supporting documentation are available for inspection by bona fide press.

[2] Associacao das Industrias Exportadoras de Madeiras do Estado do Para (The Industry Association of Wood Exporters of the State of Para - AIMEX) signed a commitment in December 1992 "not to utilise or acquire illegal logs or timber, originated from Indian reserves". In July 1993, the National Hardwood Association, part of the UK Timber Trade Federation, agreed a "trading policy" under which UK Timber Traders resolved to buy mahogany only from signatories to the AIMEX agreement.

The six AIMEX members named in the new Friends of the Earth report are Impar, Industrial e Comercial Minuano Ltd, Pau D'Arco Ltda., Bannach Ltda., Juary Ltda., and Campos Altos Ltda.

[3] The report presents evidence relating to 28 specific cases of illegal activities recorded by IBAMA after December 1992. These cases are thought to include only a fraction of the millions of dollars worth of timber illegally extracted.

[4] The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

[5] Environmentalists at the meeting, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the World Wide Fund for Nature, are urging governments at the meeting to adopt a Dutch proposal to list American mahogany in Appendix II of the Convention. This would not entail a trade ban, but would lead to regulation of the trade through a standard permit system. The objective of Appendix II listing is to establish sustainable trade so that a trade ban would not be necessary.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust