§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit to Brazil of Dr. Synott of the Oxford Forestry 505W Institute in November/December 1989, to discuss details of projects in sustainable forestry management and genetic resources of forests; and when such projects are likely to begin.
§ Mrs. ChalkerDuring this visit a number of possible projects were discussed with Brazilian institutions. These included the Tapajos forest management project, a tropical forest research project, a project to assist biological research in the Ducke reserve and a Varzea (floodplain forest) management study. Project proposals are currently being prepared for ODA consideration which will need to be cleared with the Brazilian Government. Implementation of these projects could begin in the second quarter of this year. Proposals for further projects are awaited from Brazil.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether work has begun on the joint five-year project by Brazilian scientific institutions and the Institute of Hydrology to improve knowledge of the critical effect of rainforests on climate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have submitted a detailed proposal for this project to the Brazilian Government for their agreement. While we understand that the proposal is generally acceptable to the Government, we still await confirmation of their agreement to proceed. We hope to receive this within the next few weeks, in time to allow the participating institutions to start the first field season in July as planned.