Written question asked by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Thursday, 13 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 July 2000. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2000 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the logging activities in the Amazon by the Brazilian Environment Agency; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the logging activities in the Amazon by the Brazilian Environment Agency; and if she will make a statement. [131153] Clare Short: The role of the Brazilian Environment Agency (IBAMA) is to monitor and control logging rather than actively engage in it. Our assessment is that environmental management capacity in Brazil needs to be developed in order to implement policies that have already been formally adopted. We believe that IBAMA are currently under-resourced and there are many weaknesses in the enforcement of existing forestry legislation due to lack of incentives and capacity. We, and other donors, are contributing to institutional strengthening of IBAMA through the Pilot Programme to Conserve the Brazilian Rainforest.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c446W; 131153
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Conservation Environment protection Forestry Pilot schemes Rainforests Brazil
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk