INTERNATIONAL MAHOGANY TRADE
CONTINUES UNRESTRAINED
Amazon Mahogany (Swietenia macrophalia) is freely traded on the world
market despite the fact that it is an endangered species an that
loggers cause irreparable damage to the heritage of the Indian peoples.
Last week, at a Conference on the Convention on the International Trade
in Endangered Species (CITES), held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a
motion to include mahogany on the list of endangered species which can
not be traded internationally, failed to secure approval. This means that
no restrictions are to be placed depredations of the timber trade.
The motion to ban the mahogany trade was proposed by the Holland.
Brazil, yielding to prossure from the lumber industry, voted against the
motion and it was rejected as it failed to secure the necessary
two-thirds of total vote. Fifty countries voted in favor of the motion,
while thirty-three voted against, and there were 35 abstentions.
CITES was drawn up in the United States in 1973 and was signed
by representatives of 123 countries. It restricts international trade
in animal and plant species threatened by extinction, those liable to
become endangered unless some form of control is exercised, and which
are protected by the legislation of a member countries.
Brazil is currently the world's greatest mahogany exporter.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, in 1993, no
less than 174 thousand cubic meters of mahogany were exported; 80% of
which went to the United States and Great Britain. Official figures
place the value of this trade at US$ 147 million, and this was the
main argument put forward by the Brazilian delegation to counter the
Dutch motion.
The greater part of this timber is felled illegally on Indian
lands, principally in the south of the State of Para'. Two weeks ago the
National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) seized nine thousand cubic meters
of mahogany in the possession of a lumber merchant named Iron Fernandes
da Silva, who had negotiated the timber with a few Indians from the
Kayapo' Indian Area. On the world market each cubic meter of mahogany
is worth US$ 850. In exchange for nine thousand cubic meters of
mahogany the Kayapo' Indians received only some air transport services,
fuel and food.
Brasi'lia, 24th November 1994
CIMI (Indianist Missionary Council)