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.
Greenpeace today condemned the British Government for failing in its commitment to protect ancient forests as it was revealed that authorities in Germany have impounded a cargo of illegally logged mahogany from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest - almost identical to one the UK government refused to seize earlier this month. Authorities in Belgium have today also committed to action on this issue.
The Brazilian mahogany, imported to Germany by international timber trader DLH, was seized by German authorities upon its arrival in Hamburg docks at the beginning of March. The mahogany has been impounded whilst the Government attempts to clarify with Brazilian Authorities whether or not the mahogany contravenes a mahogany logging and trade ban imposed by the Brazilian government at the end of last year.
Explaining the German government's action the Deputy Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, Mathias Berninger, said that "This mahogany is from the Rainforest of Brazil and originates presumably from dubious forest management We are holding this mahogany and we will not release it, until it is ensured that it was logged under reasonable circumstances." (1)
A further cargo of mahogany is destined for Belgium and the UK. Today the Belgian Minister for the Environment, Magda Aelvoet stated that "The trade in mahogany from dubious origin is unacceptable. In such circumstances Belgium will detain mahogany as long as there is no absolute clarity about the legal status of the produced mahogany." (2)
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).
Greenpeace investigation reveals trail of illegal destruction from the Amazon Indian lands to Harrods
Greenpeace today called on the UK Government to seize imports of Brazilian mahogany coming into UK ports and for retailers, including Harrods and the John Lewis Partnership, to immediately remove mahogany products from their stores.
