Greenpeace today accused Tony Blair of hypocrisy as they took the Government to court to try and stop Britain importing illegally logged mahogany from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest (1).
Greenpeace first alerted the Government to the illegal shipments on January 31st, after investigations revealed that two cargoes of Brazilian mahogany were headed to the UK - despite a complete ban on mahogany logging and export being imposed by the Brazilian Government late last year (2).
Despite the tip off UK Government officials failed to act, so Greenpeace is trying to get a Judicial Review of the Government's policy in the High Court on Monday, March 4th (3). Greenpeace is also requesting an injunction to stop the mahogany concerned being allowed on to the market.
Tony Blair, at last year's Labour Party conference, signalled his commitment to ending illegal and destructive logging practices saying, "we could provide work and trade without deforestation." Michael Meacher also said: "It's counterproductive to help enforce laws abroad without striving to ensure that illegally produced timber is not consumed at home" (4).
Greenpeace Forests Campaigner Andy Tait said, "It is outrageous that the Prime minister and his Government, supposedly committed to stopping illegal timber imports, have to be dragged to the High Court by Greenpeace. Here is a crystal clear example of illegally logged mahogany being imported to the UK, and the Government doing absolutely nothing to stop it.
Labour MP and member of the Environmental Audit Commission Joan Walley is backing the call for the UK Government to act. She said, "It is essential that the Government acts to support the Brazilian Governments efforts to stop the illegal mahogany trade through banning imports of Brazilian mahogany."
Trade in mahogany from the Amazon forest was banned by the Brazil late last year - following investigations that revealed that at least 70% of mahogany was being logged illegally. The Brazilian Environment agency (IBAMA) expressed concern that at current rates of deforestation Brazil's mahogany reserves could disappear in eight years.
The ban is part of a concerted effort by IBAMA to shut down the 'Mahogany Mafia', who largely control the illegal trade in Brazil, and to end illegal logging. On 21 February, as part of the clampdown, IBAMA launched 'Operation Rescue' and seized $25 million worth of the wood from a site deep in the Amazon. Then in February legal proceedings were started to take members of the 'Mahogany Mafia ' in the Amazon to court for their activities (5).
In a press release issued by IBAMA their head Hamilton Casara said, "The mahogany loggers are breaking all the environmental and labour regulations.... we are going to stop all of the logging work and take stock of the situation" (6)
Mahogany is one of the most valuable woods in Brazil and can fetch up to $1,500 USD per 10.76 square feet when shipped to its major markets in the USA and Britain. Britain is the third largest importer of Brazilian mahogany - which is used in furniture and for window frames and coffins. UK retailers who sell products made from Brazilian mahogany include department store Harrods.
In court Greenpeace lawyers will lay out their case for a Judicial Review of the Government's decision not to seize the cargo of illegal mahogany. Greenpeace is accusing the Government of failing to live up to its commitments under CITES, an international treaty designed to control the trade in endangered plants and animals. Mahogany is listed to prevent its "unsustainable or illegal exploitation."
In Hamburg on Thursday, 28th February, Greenpeace Germany blocked the MV Enif from entering the port of Hamburg and offloading another shipment of Brazilian mahogany.
The actions are part of an international Greenpeace campaign called SAVE OR DELETE - which is urging governments to take action at the forthcoming Ancient Forests Summit in the Hague to protect the world's remaining ancient forests.
Editors notes:
- The case will be heard in courtroom 2 of the High Court in The Strand on Monday 4th March 2002 starting at 10.30am
- The ban on the mahogany trade was imposed through IBAMA decree No. 17 of 19th October 2001. The banning of mahogany logging in three Amazon states (Para, Mato Grosso and Acre) was imposed through decree No. 22 of 5th December. Translations of both decrees are available from Greenpeace.
- Lawyers for Greenpeace will request permission for a Judicial Review of the government's decision, which if permission is given may be heard the same day.
- Written Answer, Hansard, July 28th 2000.
- For example, following IBAMA's successful appeal of the 6th February, Judge Marcia Murrieta, from the Tribunal of Justice of Para State, accepted the request of the State Prosecutor of Altamira and has opened a legal case against 12 members of the 'Mahogany Mafia'. All of them were referred by the prosecutor as the "Mafia do Mogno" (the Mahogany Mafia). Judge Murrieta's decision dated, 22 Feb 02, was announced on 25 February in Altamira, Pará State. This is not the first time that loggers have faced legal charges - but is the first time that a judge accepted an accusation against loggers based on "formacao de quadrilha" - the Brazilian equivalent of the US RICO Act, which was designed to stamp out organized crime.
- IBAMA press release issued 7th February 2002 entitled 'IBAMA wins first legal victory to prevent illegal export of mahogany'.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255
For more on the save or delete campaign visit www.saveordelete.com.
