Madagascar OKs Export Of Rosewood Logged From National Parks - Mongabay

[hatrack]

Madagascar has legalized the export of rosewood logs, possibly ushering in renewed logging of the country's embattled rainforest parks.

The transitional authority led by president Andry Rajoelina, who seized power during a military coup last March, today released a decree that allows the export of rosewood logs harvested from the Indian Ocean island's national parks. The move comes despite international outcry over the destruction of Madagascar's rainforests for the rosewood trade. The acceleration of logging since the March coup has been accompanied by a rise in commercial bushmeat trafficking of endangered lemurs.

The decree, dated December 31, 2009, says that "the export of export of precious wood can proceed." Hundreds of containers' worth of rosewood can now be shipped from Vohemar, a port in northern Madagascar.

Two weeks ago a $40 million shipment of rosewood from Vohemar was canceled after complaints that the French shipping company, Delmas, would facilitate the trafficking of illegally logged timber, potentially in violation of the E.U.'s FLEGT, a regulation which aims to reduce illegal logging. Protesters argued that the Delmas' shipment would undermine France's negotiating position at climate talks in Copenhagen. France has pledged to fight illegal logging and support rainforest conservation as a means to fight climate change.

EDIT

http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0111-madagascar.html

[MineralMan]

1. Do not use products made with endangered rainforest woods.

It is that simple. If there is no market for them, they will not be cut down. When you buy any product made of wood, find out what kind of wood it is and do your research. We cannot control Madagascar's decisions except by denying them a marketplace.

[amborin]

2. horrible to think of this place being ruined!