Action deadline:  immediately

Dear Alan, 

**Help save one of the world's most precious tropical forests and prevent the 
unsustainable logging of big-leaf mahogany in Peru.** 

The Peruvian rain forest is one of the world's most biologically rich and 
diverse regions and provides habitat for wildlife such as the jaguar, harpy 
eagle and giant river otter. 

Unfortunately, these creatures and their habitats are at risk from the 
unsustainable harvest of timber, particularly of big-leaf mahogany--a 
threatened species so valuable that it can lead to the destruction of large 
forest areas. Peru is the world's largest exporter of big-leaf mahogany, with 
90 percent going to the North American market.  

The international trade in big-leaf mahogany is regulated by the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and 
the Peruvian government has taken many steps to improve forest management and 
stop illegal logging. Despite these precautions, big-leaf mahogany continues to 
be harvested at unsustainable levels and illegal logging remains rampant. 

Many of these trees are illegally logged in protected areas or on the lands of 
indigenous peoples who receive only a fraction of the actual value of the wood. 
Strong measures must be taken today if this species and the rain forest of 
which it is a part are to survive for future generations.    

Every year, Peru sets a quota for mahogany that determines how much can be 
exported. It is critically important that Peru sets a quota level that is 
sustainable and scientifically-based, and that can be verified as legally 
harvested. If that does not happen, WWF will urge countries worldwide not to 
import Peruvian mahogany.

Action is urgently needed as Peru is expected to announce its annual quota for 
mahogany exports in only a few days.

Now is your chance to prevent further habitat destruction and overharvesting in 
the Peruvian rain forest.  

TAKE ACTION:  Send an email urging Peru to take immediate measures to conserve 
and sustainably manage mahogany:

*  QUICK OPTION:  If you only have a minute, send the message below, as is, by 
simply replying to this email. (This option works only if you received this 
email directly from the Conservation Action Network.)

*  POWERFUL OPTION:  Personalize your letter. Go to the following site and 
follow the instructions for adding your own thoughts to your message. Decision 
makers pay much more attention to personalized messages.  
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137041

Please forward this alert to your friends and family. You can make a huge 
difference for the Peruvian rain forest and its creatures. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Fred Prins
Peru Program Office
World Wildlife Fund

*********************LETTER TEXT******************

Mr. Juan José Salazar-Garcia
Minister of Agriculture
Pasaje Zela N° 150 - Jesús María
Lima 11 - Perú

Dear Minister Salazar,

Peru has made great strides in promoting sustainable management of its vast 
forest resources and in combating illegal logging, but I am very concerned 
about unsustainable and illegal harvesting of big-leaf mahogany. I am also 
concerned that Peru's system of annual export quotas for mahogany does not 
comply with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  

I urge you to set a 2007 mahogany export quota that is sustainable, 
scientifically-based and verifiable. The quota should give priority to mahogany 
that is certified--according to recognized international standards--as having 
been harvested in a sustainable and legal manner, with minimal destruction to 
surrounding forests.

I also urge you to establish and implement a Big-Leaf Mahogany Action Plan to 
ensure full compliance with CITES. 

By implementing these measures to conserve mahogany, the government of Peru 
will show that it has the political will to lead the fight against illegal 
logging, corruption and fraud in the forest sector. These measures will 
directly contribute to the long term survival of big-leaf mahogany. They will 
also promote sustainable forest management and responsible forest trade to the 
direct benefit of local forest enterprises and indigenous communities.

Sincerely,

Your name and address
will be inserted here

***********************END OF LETTER TEXT*********************

Learn more about the mahogany trade:
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137042

Read WWF's position on the mahogany trade:
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137043

What more can you do:
Consumers can play a powerful role in protecting mahogany from over-harvesting 
by purchasing only those mahogany items that have been "green-certified" by an 
organization such as the Forest Stewardship Council. Visit the FSC website to 
learn more:  http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137004


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