Senegal: Move to Stop Illicit Rosewood Trade
Countries are demanding stronger protections for species of rosewood or hongmu, whose overlogging is wrecking forest communities in Africa and Latin America.
Asian demand driven by China and Vietnam is fuelling deforestation and damaging ecosystems on which people depend, according to conservationists.
While there are rules against cutting the trees in their countries of origin, a lack of trade barriers means organised criminals can find a market.
Chinese imports of rosewood logs and sawn wood have grown 1,250% by volume since 2000, worth US$2.6 billion in 2014.
Ashley Van Haeften