§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific activities have so far been conducted under the Overseas Development Administration-funded project in the Tapajos national forest in Brazil.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo logging activity has been started in the forest. An initial meeting of agencies involved in the project was held in Brazil on 15 December 1992, chaired by the director of the national forest. It was attended by representatives of the ODA, the International Tropical Timber Organisation (the managing agent) and all the Brazilian agencies involved. Two Brazilian environmental NGOs also attended. The meeting established the steering590W and consultative committees which will advise and monitor the project. A further meeting in February is planned to consider the work plan.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available to the House a copy of an environmental impact assessment relating to the Overseas Development Administration-funded project in the Tapajos national forest in Brazil.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe objective of the project is to conduct controlled selective logging on a trial basis to see if it is possible to manage the forest for commercial purposes without causing long term environmental damage. The trial will be in an area of less than 1 per cent. of the national forest and will contribute to an on-going environmental impact assessment.