Hague: childrens' delegation to the Hague

On Wednesday 17th April at 6pm in the Congress Hall, the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher will meet a delegation of Greenpeace activists to discuss the role of the UK in protecting the world's remaining ancient forests.

Among the UK delegation will also be 16 year old Joss Garman, 10 year old Jacob Jackman and journalists from Children's Express who will be interviewing the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher. The delegation will also be accompanies by Ancient Forest Guardian and well-known environmentalist and lobbyist Bianca Jagger.

The meeting with the Environment Minister follows on from a 30,000 signature petition to the Prime Minister. It follows investigations exposing the Government's use of African timber used in the doors and windows at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall.

Greenpeace is calling on the UK Government to end all imports of illegally and destructively logged wood from ancient forests. If the world's ancient forests, home to most of the world's plants and animals are to be saved, then all wood imports must come from environmentally friendly sources.

Tony Blair has promised that the UK will lead international action to protect the world's ancient forests, but so far his promises have just been rhetoric with the UK market being flooded with illegal and destructively logged timber from what's left of the worlds ancient forests

Greenpeace is demanding that at this conference Governments must:

• stop the destruction of the world's remaining ancient forests
• clean up the timber trade by ensuring that timber is produced and traded in a legal and ecologically responsible way and by refusing to trade with companies known to be operating illegally or destructively.
• provide funds to help pay for forest conservation and sustainable development

Further information or interviews with Greenpeace spokespeople in The Hague on the 17th April:
Contact:
Greenpeace UK press office on 020 7865 8255

Greenpeace deliver forest art to Blair

Thousands of people join with Greenpeace to produce giant art installation for Blair telling him to help protect the world's remaining ancient forests

Today, Greenpeace along with a delegation of individuals from the fashion, club, DJ and arts world have taken part in a procession delivering a postcard-petition sculpture to Tony Blair at No 10 Downing Street. The delivery coincides with the Ancient Forest Summit being held in The Hague, the Netherlands from 17th - 20th April.

The delivery of the art sculpture is a result of thousands of people around the country signing a Save or Delete postcard. It depicts animals in a devastated ancient forest landscape with a message telling Tony Blair to ban the import of illegal and destructively logged timber from the world's remaining ancient forests. In addition to the vote-postcards individuals wanting to add their voice to this crucial issue have been able to register their vote online at www.saveordelete.com and send a message directly to Tony Blair.

The postcards have been transformed into a striking visual art piece by Brit-artist Tod Hanson. The sculpture design entails a series of beautiful giant leaves representing threatened species of trees found in the ancient forests. To construct the sculpture Tod teamed up with Notting Hill based production team Mahogany, famous for their large carnival costumes. The postcard construction is made from metal mesh that the postcards have been affixed to.

"The concept of producing the art installation out of postcards I feel is a really excellent way to bring people on board and get them participating in a political campaign that is cutting edge and trend setting" says Tod Hanson.

Ministers from the world's governments, including the UK's Environment Minister, Michael Meacher will be meeting this week in The Hague to decide the future of the world's remaining ancient forests. If no action is taken at this Summit illegal and destructive logging will continue threatening to wipe out thousands of species of plants, animals and put the livelihoods of indigenous communities at risk.

The UK is particularly relevant as it's one of the world's biggest consumers of wood and paper products from these ancient forests. Last year Tony Blair promised to tackle illegal logging and put the UK Government's own house in order by ensuring it uses legal wood from well-managed forests. So far, these promises have been little more than rhetoric.

Brenda Ramsey, Greenpeace Forest Campaigner said: "The postcard sculpture is a message from the public alerting Mr Blair that this year is a key opportunity for his government to put words into real action and ban the import of illegal and destructive timber from ancient forests."

To help raise the profile of the Greenpeace Save or Delete campaign famous clubs, fashion and artists have put their names to the campaign by organising club nights, designing cloths and producing artwork.

Renowned clubs like Ministry of Sound, Cream, Cargo and Gatecrasher have been dedicating nights to the campaign and turning themselves into polling stations where people who go clubbing each weekend could register their votes to save the forests.

Further information:
Contact Rhiannon Sheehy on 020 7313 2568 or email on Rhiannon@spring-pr.com, or call the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255.

Illegal mahogany trade

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 Forests Campaigner Andy Tait commented, "The German and Belgian action highlights the utter hypocrisy of our own Government which is supposedly committed to stopping the illegal timber trade. By failing to stop illegally logged mahogany from entering Britain, Michael Meacher has effectively aligned himself with a corrupt timber industry that continues to profit from the destruction of ancient forests such as the Amazon."

Greenpeace UK alerted Environment Minister Michael Meacher about illegal Brazilian mahogany coming into a Liverpool port on January 31st and urged him to seize the cargo. The government failed to act - so Greenpeace is attempting to judicially review them for failing in their obligation to implement CITES regulations in the UK.(3) CITES regulations are supposed to regulate the international mahogany trade from Brazil (4).

Trade in mahogany from the Amazon forest was banned by the Brazil environment agency IBAMA late last year - following investigations that revealed that at least 70% of mahogany was being logged illegally. The ban is part of a concerted effort by IBAMA to shut down the 'Mahogany Mafia', who largely control the illegal trade in Brazil, and to end illegal logging. On 21 February, as part of the clampdown, IBAMA launched 'Operation Rescue' and seized $25 million worth of the wood from a site deep in the Amazon. At the same time legal proceedings were started to take members of the 'Mahogany Mafia ' in the Amazon to court for their activities (5).

In a press release issued by IBAMA their head Hamilton Casara said, "The mahogany loggers are breaking all the environmental and labour regulations. we are going to stop all of the logging work and take stock of the situation" (6)

Mahogany is one of the most valuable woods in Brazil and can fetch up to $1,500 USD per 10.76 square feet when shipped to its major markets in the USA and Britain. Britain is the third largest importer of Brazilian mahogany - which is used in furniture and for window frames and coffins. UK retailers who sell products made from Brazilian mahogany include department store Harrods.

Greenpeace's action to stop mahogany and other imports from ancient forests forms part of an international campaign called SAVE OR DELETE - which is urging governments to take action at the forthcoming Ancient Forests Summit in April at the Hague to protect the world's remaining ancient forests.

Notes to editors:

1. Video interview with Greenpeace Germany, 21st March 2002.

2. Communication with Greenpeace Belgium 22nd March 2002

3. Greenpeace appeared in the High Court on 4th March, requesting a judicial review of the Governments failure to implement EU regulations governing the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). An appeal has now been lodged with the high court following the refusal of permission at this time.

4. Brazilian mahogany is listed as an appendix III species under CITES. As such its trade is regulated through a series of export permits intended to verify the legality of its origin. An export permit should only be issued when the relevant management authority (in this case IBAMA) is satisfied that the specimin has not been obtained in contravention of national laws. http://www.cites.org/eng/append/index.shtml

5. For example, following IBAMA's successful appeal of the 6th February, Judge Marcia Murrieta, from the Tribunal of Justice of Para State, accepted the request of the State Prosecutor of Altamira and has opened a legal case against 12 members of the 'Mahogany Mafia'. All of them were referred by the prosecutor as the "Mafia do Mogno" (the Mahogany Mafia). Judge Murrieta's decision dated, 22 Feb 02, was announced on 25 February in Altamira, Pará State. This is not the first time that loggers have faced legal charges - but is the first time that a judge accepted an accusation against loggers based on "formacao de quadrilha" - the Brazilian equivalent of the US RICO Act, which was designed to stamp out organized crime.

6. IBAMA press release issued 7th February 2002 entitled 'IBAMA wins first legal victory to prevent illegal export of mahogany'.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255

Stop nuclear: choose wind

Today's visionary declaration by North Sea Ministers to promote renewable energy in the North Sea was clouded by fall out from the on-going argument on radioactive discharges from Sellafield.

North Sea Ministers including UK Environment Minister Michael Meacher agreed to "welcome the development of renewable energy, inter alia offshore wind energyThey agree to take action to exploit this potential fully and safely." However, Greenpeace warned that this historic commitment would be undermined by the continued support of the UK and France to the polluting nuclear industry.

The North Sea has huge potential to harness wind power and develop renewable energy. Just 1% of the resource could power more than 6 million homes. In contrast to the billions of euros of state support for the nuclear industry, renewables still receive insufficient funding.

Greenpeace political advisor Simon Reddy said,
"The UK and France have to understand that the policies they articulated in Bergen represent a fundamental contradiction. What use is it signing up to clean renewable energy if you simultaneously continue to support a failing industry that is polluting our environment? It's a policy that's about as stable as the ice shelf that's just broken off from Antarctica."

During the 5th North Sea Ministers meeting in Bergen, the UK Environment Minister Michael Meacher stated publicly: "The twentieth century was the century of oil, the twenty-first must be the century of renewable energy."

The conference saw Ministers from nine countries and the EU recognise that climate change brought on by the use of fossil fuels poses a potent threat to the ecosystem and coastal regions of the North Sea. They also acknowledged the need to develop renewable alternatives to fossil fuels like oil and gas.

The commitment by the ministers to take action to exploit the wind potential of the North Sea was welcomed by Greenpeace. However, the agreement will only be worthwhile if it leads to massive financial investment in the offshore wind industry. Greenpeace emphasised that only through a commitment to renewable energy technologies will governments be able to make a substantial and sustainable contribution to their Kyoto Protocol commitments.

The 5th North Sea Conference comes five months before the Johannesburg Earth Summit. Access to clean energy is a key indicator of sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Kick-starting a global renewables revolution could be the first real sign of the spirit of the Rio Earth Summit 10 years ago when governments promised to prioritise sustainable development.

Greenpeace hopes that by the Johannesburg Earth Summit this August, other world leaders will have pledged to stop supporting businesses that contribute to environmental problems and poverty. The international community should follow the North Sea Ministers' lead on renewables.

Notes to editors:
(1) North Sea countries present were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the European Commission. Last North Sea Ministerial meeting was in Esjberg, Denmark in June 1995.

IX - Promotion of renewable energy
66. The Ministers welcome the development of renewable energy technology, inter alia, offshore wind energy, that has the potential to make a significant contribution to tackling the problems of climate change. They agree to take action in order to exploit this potential fully and safely, taking into account the global and Europeans commitments linked to the Kyoto protocol. Other technologies, such as wave power, may have a role in the future.

67. The Ministers from the EU Member States affirm their commitment to implement the EU Directive 2001/77 on renewable energy as part of their commitment in the Kyoto protocol on climate change.

68. In order to ensure a consistent and coherent approach to future developments of offshore wind energy, which, inter alia, takes account of environmental, and nature-conservation issues, the Ministers:
i) encourage the competent authorities to develop indicative guidance on areas suitable for offshore wind energy developments, taking account of local wind conditions, ecological importance, shipping, the possibility of connections to national electricity grids and other users of the North Sea;
ii) agree that offshore wind energy parks should be developed taking account of environmental impact data and monitoring information as it emerges and taking account of exchange of information and experience provided through the spatial planning processes;
iii) note that the stage of development of offshore wind energy gives the opportunity to apply the precautionary principle from the outset; and
iv) stress that in particular Strategic Environmental Assessments provide the opportunity to evaluate both the potential for cumulative impacts on the marine environment from offshore wind development and the potential positive benefits of renewable energy in combating global climate change.

69. The Ministers further invite OSPAR in co-operation with the European Union:
i) to develop a comprehensive set of criteria to assist competent authorities when deciding on applications for the development of offshore wind energy installations; and
ii) to develop a description of best available techniques for the location, construction, operation, and removal of offshore wind energy parks with a view to facilitating their development and to protect the marine environment.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8255

Illegal mahogany investigation

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).

Despite the tip off UK Government officials failed to act, so Greenpeace is trying to get a Judicial Review of the Government's policy in the High Court on Monday, March 4th (3). Greenpeace is also requesting an injunction to stop the mahogany concerned being allowed on to the market.

Tony Blair, at last year's Labour Party conference, signalled his commitment to ending illegal and destructive logging practices saying, "we could provide work and trade without deforestation." Michael Meacher also said: "It's counterproductive to help enforce laws abroad without striving to ensure that illegally produced timber is not consumed at home" (4).

Greenpeace Forests Campaigner Andy Tait said, "It is outrageous that the Prime minister and his Government, supposedly committed to stopping illegal timber imports, have to be dragged to the High Court by Greenpeace. Here is a crystal clear example of illegally logged mahogany being imported to the UK, and the Government doing absolutely nothing to stop it.

Labour MP and member of the Environmental Audit Commission Joan Walley is backing the call for the UK Government to act. She said, "It is essential that the Government acts to support the Brazilian Governments efforts to stop the illegal mahogany trade through banning imports of Brazilian mahogany."

Trade in mahogany from the Amazon forest was banned by the Brazil late last year - following investigations that revealed that at least 70% of mahogany was being logged illegally. The Brazilian Environment agency (IBAMA) expressed concern that at current rates of deforestation Brazil's mahogany reserves could disappear in eight years.

The ban is part of a concerted effort by IBAMA to shut down the 'Mahogany Mafia', who largely control the illegal trade in Brazil, and to end illegal logging. On 21 February, as part of the clampdown, IBAMA launched 'Operation Rescue' and seized $25 million worth of the wood from a site deep in the Amazon. Then in February legal proceedings were started to take members of the 'Mahogany Mafia ' in the Amazon to court for their activities (5).

In a press release issued by IBAMA their head Hamilton Casara said, "The mahogany loggers are breaking all the environmental and labour regulations.... we are going to stop all of the logging work and take stock of the situation" (6)

Mahogany is one of the most valuable woods in Brazil and can fetch up to $1,500 USD per 10.76 square feet when shipped to its major markets in the USA and Britain. Britain is the third largest importer of Brazilian mahogany - which is used in furniture and for window frames and coffins. UK retailers who sell products made from Brazilian mahogany include department store Harrods.

In court Greenpeace lawyers will lay out their case for a Judicial Review of the Government's decision not to seize the cargo of illegal mahogany. Greenpeace is accusing the Government of failing to live up to its commitments under CITES, an international treaty designed to control the trade in endangered plants and animals. Mahogany is listed to prevent its "unsustainable or illegal exploitation."

In Hamburg on Thursday, 28th February, Greenpeace Germany blocked the MV Enif from entering the port of Hamburg and offloading another shipment of Brazilian mahogany.

The actions are part of an international Greenpeace campaign called SAVE OR DELETE - which is urging governments to take action at the forthcoming Ancient Forests Summit in the Hague to protect the world's remaining ancient forests.

Editors notes:

1. The case will be heard in courtroom 2 of the High Court in The Strand on Monday 4th March 2002 starting at 10.30am
2. The ban on the mahogany trade was imposed through IBAMA decree No. 17 of 19th October 2001. The banning of mahogany logging in three Amazon states (Para, Mato Grosso and Acre) was imposed through decree No. 22 of 5th December. Translations of both decrees are available from Greenpeace.
3. Lawyers for Greenpeace will request permission for a Judicial Review of the government's decision, which if permission is given may be heard the same day.
4. Written Answer, Hansard, July 28th 2000.
5. For example, following IBAMA's successful appeal of the 6th February, Judge Marcia Murrieta, from the Tribunal of Justice of Para State, accepted the request of the State Prosecutor of Altamira and has opened a legal case against 12 members of the 'Mahogany Mafia'. All of them were referred by the prosecutor as the "Mafia do Mogno" (the Mahogany Mafia). Judge Murrieta's decision dated, 22 Feb 02, was announced on 25 February in Altamira, Pará State. This is not the first time that loggers have faced legal charges - but is the first time that a judge accepted an accusation against loggers based on "formacao de quadrilha" - the Brazilian equivalent of the US RICO Act, which was designed to stamp out organized crime.
6. IBAMA press release issued 7th February 2002 entitled 'IBAMA wins first legal victory to prevent illegal export of mahogany'.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255

For more on the save or delete campaign visit www.saveordelete.com.

The save or delete campaign launches outside DEFRA

Greenpeace today delivered a MORI poll to Environment Minister Michael Meacher showing that 87% of the British public want the government to ban illegal imports of wood from the world's ancient forests. Furthermore 80% want the British Government to pledge funding to a proposed international fund to protect the world's remaining ancient forests.

The UK is currently the top importer within the EU of illegal wood from tropical forests (1). We import plywood from Indonesian and Amazon rainforests, some of which is used as hoardings around building sites then trashed. Many doors and window frames come from the destruction of the forest home of Africa's great apes in the Congo Basin.

The poll is being released as Greenpeace launch Save or Delete - a new campaign to protect the world's remaining ancient forests. To kick off the campaign gorillas and other 'Ancient Forest Messengers' will be roaming London - delivering the results of the poll to politicians, the timber trade and Harrods, who sell furniture made from illegally logged mahogany.

The messengers will also be unveiling billboard posters around London based on a powerful illustration of Jungle Book characters in a devastated jungle. The poster image has been produced for Greenpeace by maverick street artist Banksy - popular in the hip-hop scene for his stencils and graffiti images that portray striking political messages. The posters promote the campaign website saveordelete.com - where the public can take part in an online referendum and download DIY campaign kits.

Ancient forests are home to two-thirds of all species of land-dwelling plants and animals including the great apes. 80% of the world's original ancient forests have already disappeared forever and today we are still losing an area of ancient forest the size of a football pitch every two seconds. If this destruction continues scientists predict that tropical rainforests in Indonesia and West Africa could be wiped out within decades - leading to the extinction of the great apes in our lifetime.

Ten years ago at the Rio Earth Summit the world's governments signed a pledge to protect the world's remaining ancient forests. Yet, since the Summit, an area of ancient forest bigger than France and Spain has disappeared.

This year world governments have the chance to take real action to save the remaining ancient forests. In April they will meet in The Hague for an Ancient Forests Summit (the Convention on Biological Diversity).

Greenpeace is calling on governments to:

• Clean up the international timber trade by stopping the import of illegal and destructively logged timber.
• Create a global ancient forest fund to pay for forest protection.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace UK press office on 0207 865 8255

Notes for editors:
(1) The MORI poll was commissioned by Greenpeace. MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,001 adults aged 16+ across Britain. Interviews were conducted by telephone between 15 - 17 February, 2002.

Summary of results:

Question one - How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
the Government should ban the import of illegally logged wood from the world's ancient forests
87% strongly agreed or tended to agree
3% neither agreed nor disagreed
8% tended to disagree or strongly disagreed
2% didn't know

Question two - There have been calls for governments to set up an international fund to the tune of $15 billion each year to protect the world's ancient forests. How strongly do you agree or disagree that the British Government should pledge funding to the proposed international fund to protect the world's ancient forests
80% strongly agreed or tended to agree
3% neither agreed nor disagreed
16% tended to disagree or strongly disagreed
1% didn't know

Greenpeace wrote to Environment Minister Michael Meacher outlining their concerns last week. In the letter Greenpeace called on the Government to remove the flower heads from all GM crops currently growing to prevent contamination of surrounding farms and to halt new GM trials.

Last year, UK farmers bought seed from Canada that was found to be GM-contaminated. The error lead to 13,700 hectares of UK farmland being sown with contaminated rapeseed. Canadian Authorities are still investigating if this contamination was caused by GM crops cross-pollinating with conventional crops planted over 800 metres away.

This incident prompted the UK Government to launch a full review of separation distances between GM and conventional crops. The Review was initiated as a three-pronged enquiry encompassing a scientific review, a public consultation and an investigation into what caused the Canadian incident.

Greenpeace campaigner Sarah North said, "The Canadian incident prompted the UK's review of separation distances. The Government still hasn't a clue about what caused the Canadian contamination. Yet they're pressing on regardless with growing GM crops in full knowledge that this may be risking contamination of neighbouring farms. This is irrational and irresponsible".

Last Autumn, as winter GM crop trials were planted, Government Environment Minister Beverley Hughes reassured rural communities that these crops may have their flower heads removed in March 2001 as a precaution to avoid cross-pollination. This decision was to be made on the basis of the Government's review of separation distances (1).

North continued, "To allow these current crops to flower in the absence of results of the review is monumentally reckless".

Editor's notes:
1) Fifty eight new trial sites have been announced in England and Scotland - 26 beet 32 spring oil seed rape.
2) Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions News Release 559: "Hughes Announces Consent for Autumn Farm Scale Trials", 23 August 2000.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace UK press office on 020 7865 8255