Timber movement control technology transfered

The Brazilian computerised system for data recording in timber operations and trade called “Document of Forest Origin” (DOF) will be shared with other Latin American countries and also with South Africa, China and Russia according to the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA).

This technology has replaced the former Forest Products Transport Permits (ATPF) in Brazil which were frequently falsified. The Brazilian system is considered a world best and if the interest of various countries is confirmed, Brazil will transfer the system through technical cooperation to those interested.

According to IBAMA, the advantage of the DOF system is decentralised monitoring of the entire chain of custody of timber from the forest to first processing. The legal timber trade in Brazil amounts to around BRL 15 billion annually. The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is encouraging its member states, such as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname to adopt the DOF system. Reports indicated that Bolivia has already signed a cooperation agreement with Brazil for use of the system.