§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning recent shipments of Brazilian mahogany to the UK; and if she will make a statement. [44703]
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§ Mr. MorleyRepresentations have been received from members of the public, from 10 Members of Parliament and from Greenpeace. In addition illegal logging in Brazil has been the subject of recent parliamentary questions.
Greenpeace sought to take the Department to judicial review in order to compel DEFRA and HM Customs and Excise to seize a recent importation of Brazilian mahogany. The judgment refusing Greenpeace's application is now the subject of appeal.
I can assure the hon. Member that we continue to take a strong stance on illegal logging and welcome the Brazilian Government's efforts to tighten controls on the concessions and logging facilities. In particular we totally support the temporary moratorium by the Brazilian Federal Environment Agency on transport and commercialisation of mahogany. My officials are in contact with their opposite numbers in the Brazilian CITES Management Authority and I hope that they will be able to meet shortly to discuss bilateral measures to combat illegal trade. The shipments concerned did have the required documentation complying with Brazilian law and following inquiries made were confirmed by the Brazilian authorities as genuine and in line with CITES regulations.