21 April 2011: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has highlighted that the 19th meeting of the Plants Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES PC-19), at its 18-21 April 2011 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, forwarded a number of recommendations in relation to Swietenia macrophylla (bigleaf mahogany) to the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (COP 16).

For bigleaf mahogany species “of possible concern” in Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras and Ecuador, PC-19 recommended that: within six months, the Management Authority inform the Secretariat of the non-detriment assessments methodology and establish a conservative harvest and export quota; Ecuador clarify whether the prohibition on export of this species remains in place; and Nicaragua inform on the types of Swietenia macrophylla (bigleaf mahogany) products being exported.

For the species in Bolivia “of urgent concern” PC-19 recommended that: within three months, the Management Authority set a zero quota; clarify with the Secretariat how it determines that the level of trade is not detrimental to wild populations before trade resumes; and report on the results, recommendations and actions under the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)-CITES Timber Programme. [ITTO Market Information Service] [IISD RS Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage of PC-19]