Bushmeat Project; Stop Ecologically destructive roads

Stop EU $50 Million Financing of Ecologically Destructive Roads across Cameroon's Rainforests!

Here is a copy of a letter you can print and mail or just cut and paste into your email. Thank you, your help is invaluable to the cause.
Joao de Deus Pinheiro
Commissioner for Development Cooperation
The European Commission
Rue de La Loi 200
1049 Brussels, Belgium

Dear Commissioner Pinheiro,

I am writing to submit my concerns regarding the European Commission's plan to give Cameroon a fifty (50) million dollar grant for road projects. The EU is not stating which roads it will build or rehabilitate, the exact amount of the grant and when this decision will be made. Before considering such a grant, you need to state explicitly which roads you will be financing and demonstrate that public discussion has taken place with the shareholders. In particular, you must make sure the local communities have received information and were effectively consulted.
I am not aware that an Environmental Impact Assessment has been conducted for the described road project. Under the terms of the Commission's own Environmental Manual such a study is obligatory. I urge that a full Environmental Impact Assessment be done to evaluate the possible effects before this project is fully approved. Such rehabilitation will facilitate transport significantly. Without proper management of the forests and effective control of poaching and bushmeat transport, rehabilitation of roads will do great damage to forest, wildlife and indeed the ecosystem, which is also base for pygmies and other local people.
In the past, the EU has funded such road projects. As an example, the EU gave a large grant for the rehabilitation of the Abong Mbang road to Lomie, in the Cameroon rainforests. As a consequence, illegal timber concessions and poaching have expanded rapidly.
Along with numerous other individuals, I share the concern regarding the impact this project will have on the environment if approved. I am urging you to demonstrate effective control of poaching and illegal logging before the approval of this project.
Respectfully,

cc:    Frau Ministerin Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
Rettet den Regenwald e. V.

Once again you may address your letter to: Joao de Deus Pinheiro
Commissioner for Development Cooperation
The European Commission
Rue de La Loi 200
1049 Brussels, Belgium

Please copy the German development minister who is currently Chair of the EU Development Council:
Frau Ministerin Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40
53113 Bonn, Germany
Tel: 0228-535-3311      Fax: 0228-535-3325
email: poststelle@bmz.bund.de

Those in England may also want to copy:
Clare Short
Secretary of State for International Development
Department for International Development
94 Victoria Street
London, SWlE SJL, England

Ask that DFID, as the UK's representative on the EDF committee, rejects the new proposal for road building in Cameroon.

Please also copy your letter to Rainforest Rescue who is coordinating this campaign so that they can evaluate the progress of this protest. Tell them you saw this at the Bushmeat Crisis website.
Rettet den Regenwald e. V.
Rainforest Rescue - http://www.umwelt.org/regenwald - in German
Pöseldorfer Weg 17
20148 Hamburg, Germany
Tel. 49-40-4103804      Fax: 49-40-4500144
email: regenwald@umwelt.ecolink.org

For more information, in English see http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org with sound clips about the impact of a previous EU-funded road project in Cameroon, and a briefing on the latest threats. (click on Cameroon Action Alert)
The Rainforest Foundation UK - http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org
City Cloisters
188 Old Street
London EC1V 9FR, England
Tel: +44 171 251 6345      Fax: +44 171 251 4969
email: rainforestuk@gn.apc.org

THE BIOSYNERGY INSTITUTE

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Hermosa Beach, California 90254
USA