Environmentalists Condemn International Failure to Protect Mahogany
6/18/97
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Headline: Environmentalists Condemn International Failure to Protect
Mahogany
Source: Rainforest Action Network
Date: 6/18/97
HARARE, Zimbabwe - In a major blow after years of bitter struggle, the
international community has failed to initiate protective measures for the
beleaguered Amazon big-leaf mahogany tree. Environmentalists and
indigenous rights groups have fought a long battle against the timber
industry and its lobbyists to achieve protection for Amazon bigleaf
mahogany. The tree has become emblematic of rainforest destruction.
The majority of the countries that are part of CITES (Convention on the
International Trade in Endangered Species) voted to support a bold joint
US/Bolivia proposal to grant protection to the species. However, it failed
to gain the necessary two-thirds majority. The final vote was 67 in favor
of protection, 45 against, with 9 countries abstaining. CITES is the same
convention that saved elephants and gorillas from extinction.
"We hold each of the countries that voted against protection for bigleaf
mahogany accountable for the decimation of the species, which in turn
leads to further destruction of the Amazon," said Brazil Program Director
Beto Borges, who added: "Of these countries, Brazil carries the greatest
responsibility. With this vote, the world lost an important tool to
secure the future survival of the species."
Environmentalists sought CITES protection on "Appendix II," which would
have assured a level of protection just below a complete trade ban
(Appendix I). Under these conditions, scientists would have to have
confirmed that the harvested mahogany had not caused damage to the
rainforest before being allowed into the marketplace
Rainforest Action Network works to protect the Earth's rainforests and
support the rights of their inhabitants through education, grassroots
organizing, and non-violent direct action.