Illegal mahogany rejected by the USA is aprehended on return to brazil

Ibama apprehended a container with more than 45 thousand square meters of illegal mahogany veneer last Friday at the Port of Paranaguá (State of Paraná, south of Brazil), enough to pave an area of 6,5 football fields with this valuable species. The mahogany was on board the ship "CVAS New York" and was loaded in Norfolk, Virginia, June 12, returning to Brazil following an order from the US government.  The receiving company - Laminort, from Curitiba, State of Paraná- which had exported the timber to the United States, was fined on R$ 16.092,00 (some US$ 5,500) for trading without Ibama´s authorization. The apprehended mahogany shipment was put under judicial guard of TCP - Terminal of Containers of Paranaguá.  The shipment is valued at US$ 101,000.00.

This is the first time that an illegal mahogany shipment has been sent back to Brazil. Greenpeace activists were at the Port of Paranaguá overseeing the work of Ibama agents. They hung an ironic banner with the drawing of a mahogany tree, stamped "Refused entry!" and the message: "Mahogany, welcome home.  Did you enjoy your holiday in the US.?"

"We are witnessing a historical moment for everybody fighting in defense of the Amazon and against the illegal and predatory exploitation of natural resources of Ancient Forests," said Nilo d'Ávila, from Greenpeace. "Finally governments are starting to take their obligation to control the illegal timber trade seriously."

The shipment of mahogany veneer (with a volume of 32.184 cubic meters) is part of a cargo of 884 cubic meters exported by Laminort in 2002, under preliminary Court injunctions. This total corresponds to approximately 1.2 millions square meters of thin veneer, usually 0.7 millimeters thick, which is used as a final layer for furniture, panels etc.

The veneer sent back to Brazil arrived in the United States last year, and was immediately apprehended at the port under request of Brazilian authorities. Since then, the importer - M. Bohlke Veneer - fought a long judicial battle in a Washington court. In April 2003, the District Court of Columbia made a decision in favor of the US government in a trial brought by seven mahogany importers that had their products apprehended in ports of the United States between February and July, 2002. The seizures occurred as a result of information supplied to the American authorities by Greenpeace, which were subsequently confirmed by Ibama. Greenpeace and  NGO Defenders of Wildlife participated in the action as "Amicus", alleging that the timber should not be released.

Inquiries by Ibama pointed out that Laminort was supplied with mahogany logs from at least two companies operating in the Middle Land (state of Pará), which are involved with illegal exploitation and are linked to the "Mahogany Mafia".

MORE GOOD NEWS - The same day (Friday), NGO FASE (Federation of Organizations for Social and Educational Aid) received, in Altamira, state of Pará, the donation of about 6,000 illegal mahogany logs which were apprehended by Ibama by the end of 2001, in an operation that included the participation of Greenpeace.  The FSC certified timber company Cikel will saw the timber, valued at US$ 2,5 million. The money from the sale of the timber will benefit the communities living in areas affected by the illegal exploitation of mahogany.  "This is a crucial decision for Amazon communities, systematically seeing their natural resources being pillaged by a small group of loggers operating as a real mafia", said the coordinator of Greenpeace Amazon Campaign, Paulo Adário.  "It is now necessary to punish those responsible for the illegal timber with the power of the law".

Greenpeace is campaigning globally for the protection of the last ancient forests remaining on the planet, with the objective to promote the ecologically sustainable and socially responsible use of the forests, as well as implementation of Conservation Units.  Protected forest areas are dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources as well as the associated cultural values, and are established and managed respecting the rights of traditional people - in particular, native populations.  Greenpeace's campaign also focuses on the industrial and public consumers,  to promote wood or forest products certified by the FSC.