Brussels, 02/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - Greenpeace announces in a press release of 29 March that it received documentation that same day "confirming that the European Commission is now warning all European countries to reject Brazilian mahogany". The organisation specifies that a note from the Commission "advises Member States not to accept export permits for specimens of Swietenia macrophylla from Brazil until further notice, without first obtaining from the Brazilian authorities a statement that those specimens were legally acquired". Greenpeace recalls that the Brazilian environmental agency (IBAMA) had, in October, suspended the trade of mahogany following evidence of widespread illegal logging on public and Indian lands. Between 20 December 2001 and March 2002, at least eight companies exported over 15,000 cubic metres of mahogany, for a value of around $11 million, notes Greenpeace.
The organisation also notes that the Commission's intervention comes after the announcement by the German and Belgian governments of their intention to suspend mahogany imports from Brazil. Action by Greenpeace in Germany in January had led to the confiscation by the German authorities of 300 cubic metres of mahogany imported by DHL, the world's biggest trader of rare wood, notes a press release, explaining that another delivery had been seized the same day in Belgium destined for the Italian importer Laster Spa. Greenpeace is particularly incensed at the British government's attitude since unlike all other governments in Europe, the British do not oppose the mahogany trade.
"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 form legitimate legal sources", said Paulo Adario, Greenpeace Amazon Campaign Coordinator, adding "The US, the most important market for Amazon wood, must also follow the European example".