Peru: FSC suspends certification of logging company operating in uncontacted Masho Piro territory

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has today announced that it has suspended the certification of logging company Canales Tahuamanu for eight months. 

The complete cancellation of the certification had been demanded by Peruvian Indigenous organizations FENAMAD and AIDESEP, and Survival International, following Survival’s publication of images proving that the area is home to a large number of uncontacted Mashco Piro people.

Indigenous leader Julio Cusurichi, a member of AIDESEP’s board, said today: “This is an important step, but it’s not the end of the matter. We’re going to keep up the fight until we get a historic victory.” 

Survival International’s Director of Research and Advocacy, Fiona Watson, said today: “This is welcome news – but only half of what’s required. The FSC has known for years that this company was operating inside the territory of the Mashco Piro, indeed there have been more than one fatal encounter between them and the loggers.

“The massive media coverage of the images that Survival released in July, and the 15,000 emails sent to the FSC by Survival’s supporters, have clearly forced a reluctant FSC to act. It’s good that it’s suspended the company’s certification, but there’s no reason not to cancel it permanently. The Indigenous organizations and Survival will be watching closely to ensure that this isn’t just a tactic to kick the problem into the long grass.

“Under Peruvian and international law the Mashco Piro have the right to the ownership of their territory, and not to have it cut down around them. We expect the FSC to recognize this – anything less will ensure the campaign continues.”

Photos of the Mashco Piro people are available to download here.