Following the success of the soya moratorium extension, illegal and destructive logging of timber is in the spotlight in the Amazon. A new agreement signed in the State of Pará is set to ban trade in timber that isn't from legal and sustainable sources. What makes this ban significant is that almost half the timber logged in the Amazon comes from the state of Pará.
Carlos Minc, the Brazilian environment minister had said that extending the Soya moratorium for another year was a success and should inspire similar initiatives across other sectors operating in the Amazon. This is the first of those other initiatives. This is an important step in protecting the Amazon rainforest from illegal and destructive logging. Brazil is the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions due to deforestation in the Amazon.
In September, the European Commission will announce proposals to tackle the trade in illegal timber coming into Europe. An EU ban on illegal timber imports will compliment this announcement in Brazil and should help to combat illegal logging activities worldwide. Write to President Barroso now to bring about an immediate ban on illegal timber reaching Europe.
