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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The iconic tree that gave Brazil its name and the world's violinists their bows got extra protection Thursday to prevent it from sliding toward extinction. But the conference that overwhelmingly supported protecting brazilwood, or pau brasil in Portuguese, rejected similar moves for three other South American tropical trees.
Brazil welcomed support for its plan to regulate trade in brazilwood timber by delegates at the triennial meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES.
The plan will protect the tree — known for its hard, blood-red wood — while allowing it to "continue to be used to delight us in the hands of inspired musicians and orchestras across the world," said Fernando Coimbra, head of the Brazilian delegation.
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