Peter O. Thomas, Chief
Division of Management Authority, International Affairs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700
Arlington, VA 22203-1610

RE: Please stop importation of illegal mahogany from Peru!

Dear Chief Thomas,

I urge you to take immediate action to stop the importation of illegally and unsustainably logged mahogany from Peru. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits imports of such wood. Illegal logging of mahogany continues to threaten key wilderness areas of the Peruvian Amazon as well as the indigenous people who rely on these areas for survival. A sophisticated trafficking network employs false permits in order to export this wood to the United States. Your agency has the power and the obligation to stop this practice by enforcing the law.

As the importer of 80 percent of Peru's mahogany, the United States must work with Peru to eliminate the incentives to cheat the system. I urge you to block any mahogany from entering the United States without proof that it was logged legally under a functioning management plan, as required by international law.

Thank you for taking immediate action in this urgent matter.

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