Logging in the Brazilian Amazon and Enforcement

of Forest LawsBrenda Brito

Assistant Researcher and Vice-Executive Director of Imazon

brendabrito@imazon.org.br

Illegal Logging Update and Stakeholder ConsultationLondon - January 20th, 2006

o Timber processing centers (2004): 82

o Timber Production (2004): 24.5 millions m3

Logging frontiers and timber production

Source: Imazon (Lentini et al, 2005)

Increase of Brazilian Amazon timber exportation

14%

36%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

1998 2004

Source: Imazon (Lentini et al, 2003; Lentini et al, 2005)

Source: Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and International Trade, 2005

EU = 32%

31%

12% 11%7%

5% 5% 4%

25%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

USA China France Holland UnitedKingdom

Belgium Spain Others

Major importers of timber from the Brazilian Amazon

Brazilian Government initiatives against illegal logging and deforestation

Environmental Crimes Law (1998)

Increasing number of fines against violators

Creation of protected areas: 12% of the Amazon

Police investigation against bribery and corruption (2004...)

Enforcement is still weak

~ 43% of illegal timber in 2004 14 million m3 authorized 24,5 million m3 logged

But probably it is much higher due to poor control on legal operations

Sources: Brazilian Federal Environmental Agency (Ibama, 2005) and Imazon (Lentini et al, 2005)

Few criminal cases completed

Source: Brito et al, 2005

78%

22%0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Violators not found orprocedural problems

Completed or complying withthe terms of the negotiated

agreement

Few administrative fines collected

Source: Brito et al, in preparation

9%2%

15%

74%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

Defense Acquitted Finescollected

Fines notcollected

Problems for effective enforcement

Lack of human and financial resources

Poor communication among public officials

Insuficient laws to force payment of fines

Lack of transparency

Poor performance of Courts

Other alternatives: market pressure is growing, but it is

still very small

0,09 0,09 0,090,27 0,29

0,430,54

1,68 1,69

00,2

0,40,6

0,81

1,21,4

1,61,8

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 May2005

Millions of hectares

Source: FSC Brazil, 2005

68%

11% 10%5% 2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Quality Price Legality Deadline Certification

FSC certified area in the Brazilian Amazon

Legality is a minor requirement of importers

Source: Imazon (Lentini et al, 2005)

Conclusion Timber exporting is increasing

International market demand for legality is small

Brazilian Government solutions are not enough

FLEGT

brendabrito@imazon.org.brwww.imazon.org.br