From the forest to the consumer - GVces - Fundação Getulio Vargas

forest forms that used to be hastily filled in by truck drivers when stopped
for inspection. However, there are bottlenecks that need to be resolved at
the timber’s origin. São Paulo’s environmental police force is one third of
the entire Brazilian force – of 6 thousand officers –, and it does not grow at
the same pace as the crimes they are combating. “We do have a method for
control, but we lack in capacity to implement it,” says Diniz.
There is increasing commitment from those who buy timber at the end
of the chain in São Paulo. “With increased control, there are fewer penalties
issued, which shows that the market adapts to the rules and changes its
behavior,” says Diniz. When the environmental police started working four
years ago, “people did not know the law and regulations, let alone how to
put them into practice”.
The number of registered lumberyards in São Paulo – currently there are
around 6 thousand of them – illustrates the increased commitment. In 2007,
they were only half of that number and most operated illegally. “By competing
for market share, they changed their practices and started looking for
legal suppliers. The market adjusts itself naturally”.
The state of São Paulo’s Native Wood Retailers Registry (Cadmadeira)
was established by decree in 2008 and became a decisive step in changing
the state of affairs. Registration is voluntary except for those who sell timber
to the state and some municipalities for civil construction. Retailers must
comply with four preconditions to have their registry approved: demonstrate
a clean slate in terms of fines related to timber; register with the Federal
Technical Registry run by Ibama; register with the São Paulo Commercial
Committee; and to regularly operate the DOF.
To stand out in the market, however, a retailer may apply for a best-
-practice label. The State’s Environment Secretary issues the label – valid for
a year – after evaluating the company’s operations. Inspectors check if it has
the licenses to operate, if the timber is organized by type and species in its
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