Brazilian authorities have fined eight pig-iron producers a record US$231 million for using charcoal made from illegally cut Amazon timber. In a separate enforcement action, officials arrested 43 people for allegedly making, selling and using forged transport permits to bring contraband timber to market. The moves form part of a concerted effort by the government to curb Amazon deforestation, which has climbed steadily in recent years. Authorities claim that thanks to stepped-up enforcement and land-use initiatives, the deforestation rate should show a decline when official figures are released next month for the latest monitoring period—Aug. 2004 through July 2005. (See “Brazil claims drop in Amazon deforestation,”—EcoAméricas, Sept. ’05). While the breakup of the illegal timber-transport ring produced bigger... [Log in to read more]