Greenpeace today welcomed the decision to list Brazilian mahogany as a priority species in need of increased international protection. Big Leaf Mahogany, which is used primarily in high-end furniture, is found in tropical forests from the South of Mexico through Central America and down to the Amazon. Whilst the US is the largest importer, a significant volume is still traded in the UK. Brazilian mahogany dining tables sell at Harrods.
The mahogany trade has been notorious for illegality and corruption. Following the release of a Greenpeace report into the trade "Partners in mahogany crime" in 2001 (1), the Brazilian Government suspended the mahogany trade and launched its own investigations. These concluded that some 70% of mahogany in Brazil was logged illegally, often coming from protected Indian and public lands.(2)
The historic vote at the Convention of the Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Santiago, Chile, means mahogany will be listed on Appendix II under the convention, giving the tree species a fighting chance to survive under controlled and legal trade. The result of yesterday's vote effectively means that trade of the highly valuable species will have to be from sustainable and legal sources.
Paulo Adario, Head of Greenpeace's Amazon campaign said;
"This is a victory for mahogany, the environment and for the people of the Amazon who depend on forest resources for their survival."
The proposal to list mahogany on Appendix II of CITES was submitted by Nicaragua and supported by Guatemala. During the discussions in yesterday's session at the 12th Conference of the Parties meeting, CITES delegates from Brazil and Bolivia made strong statements against the listing. However, the UK, EU and Central American countries stressed how the Appendix II listing will not only protect the species, but also safeguard the market and protect consumers from illegal trade. Greenpeace recognises the contribution of UK Environment Minister, Elliot Morley, in lobbying for the proposal (3), and the support for it from the UK Timber Trade Federation. (4)
Greenpeace now calls on Brazil and Bolivia to accept the decision of CITES delegates and ensure that their countries will do their best to implement sustainable mahogany logging and a legal trade under Appendix II of CITES.
John Sauven, Greenpeace Forest Campaign Director said,
"Today's decision sends a very clear signal to the global market that only legal and environmentally sustainable timber should be traded. The tide is turning in favour of the world's ancient forests. Markets and consumers are demanding sustainable forest products and this is a strong step toward delivering on their demands."
Notes
The victory was gained through secret ballot. Of the votes needed to carry the proposal, 68 were in favour, 30 against, 14 abstentions and 3 ballot forms were spoiled. According to the rules and procedures of CITES, there is a slight chance that the proposal could be brought back to plenary for consideration by all the delegates at which time a two-thirds vote is needed to agree to reopen the discussion.
1."Partners in mahogany crime"
2.In October IBAMA suspended the mahogany trade through Decree No.17 of 19th October. Following investigations in October-December 2001 Decree No. 22 of 5th December was passed, suspending 10 of 11 remaining mahogany logging operations. Both decrees available from Greenpeace.
3. In a letter to Greenpeace on 23rd October Elliot Morley confirmed that "We are totally behind this proposal". In a parliamentary written answer (77580) on 30th October Mr Morley confirmed that discussions on the issue had been held with relevant authorities in 96 countries.
4. In a letter to Greenpeace on 16th October the federation confirmed that "The Timber Trade Federation and its members support the listing of Swietenia macrophylla in Appendix II."
