Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) for four timber genera took effect in November. National CITES authorities received training to implement the new guidelines.
In a significant milestone for the protection of Brazilian biodiversity and the fight against environmental crimes, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Brazil presented, on November 4 and 5, technical-scientific studies known as Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs). These studies assess the impact of legal and illegal international trade and establish new export regulations for ipê, cedar, and cumaru species.
This initiative aligns with UNODC's commitment to the Belém Declaration and the 2030 Agenda, promoting an integrated and sustainable approach to combating transnational environmental crimes. The latest edition of UNODC’s World Drug Report highlighted, for the first time, a dedicated chapter on the Amazon, deepening understanding and strengthening integrated responses to environmental and transnational challenges.
With support from UNODC, through the ECOS and LEAP projects, Ibama developed the documents specifically for the Handroanthus, Tabebuia, Dipteryx, and Cedrela genera, which are included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This appendix lists species whose exploitation must be regulated to prevent extinction risks. UNODC’s initiative to support the development of the NDFs representsan important step toward the sustainable use of Brazil’s natural resources and meets international commitments as well as UNODC’s global mandate to combat environmental crimes such as illegal timber export and trafficking.
The NDF launch event, held in Brasília (DF) over two days, was attended by more than 100 participants, including members of academia, representatives from state environmental agencies, and timber companies. Additionally, over 250 people followed the event virtually via live streaming on YouTube.
Following the two-day official presentation of the studies, UNODC Brazil and Ibama also held a training session from November 6 to 8 for CITES administrative authorities. These are Ibama-appointed officials responsible for issuing export licenses for timber species listed in the Convention’s appendices, based on the NDFs. Over three days, 41 professionals underwent training on regulations, control, and monitoring of international trade of these species, as well as cargo analysis systems, aiming to standardize procedures and provide greater legal certainty for exporters.
The ECOS project began operations in Brazil in 2022 and has been working with Brazilian authorities to improve regional cooperation and the capacity of justice system actors and law enforcement agencies to detect, intercept, investigate, and prosecute crimes related to wildlife trafficking, forest crimes, mining sector offenses, and the fisheries value chain. ECOS is also present in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, and Suriname and is implemented under UNODC’s Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment (GPCAE), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The LEAP program, supported by the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), assists countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia in identifying illicit activities throughout the timber supply chain and in preventing, detecting, and dismantling global criminal networks involved in forest crimes. LEAP focuses on transnational operations and investigations, theoretical and practical training, inter-agency cooperation, and specialized technical expertise in law enforcement.