Promoting timber DNA traceability tools in the Brazilian Amazon

Project description

Title: Three Brazilian companies promote timber DNA traceability tools in the Brazilian Amazon
Commissioned by: The Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Brazil
Partner: Blue Timber Florestal Ltda, GenomaA Biotech Ltda, BRFLOR
Overall term: 2021 to 2024

Context

The need for increased trust concerning the origin of timber products is expected to generate demand for DNA technology for reliable traceability. This can have several advantages. Firstly, it fosters legality and sustainability in Brazilian timber markets. Secondly, it makes it more attractive for companies to comply with regulations and thus pursue legal activities when they enter the timber market. Furthermore, it significantly lowers the entry barriers for local producers to access high-end markets for harvested timber. However, the improved legal structure in the timber market is not only desirable for potential market participants, but also has environmental advantages, as the forest will be less exposed to uncontrolled deforestation.

Objective

Reliable traceability through DNA analysis is promoting the sustainable and legal management of the Brazilian rainforest.

Approach

The project carries out the following activities, among others:

• Smallholders and extractivist communities receive technical assistance workshops on traceability approaches with a focus on DNA traceability tools.
• Local technicians are trained as multipliers in the fields of technical operation in the laboratory, material collection, storage and transport.
• Stakeholder dialogues are conducted to jointly reflect on possible applications of the DNA traceability tools, for example, on further forest products.

Last update: February 2022