Day 240 - 24 Apr 96 - Page 28


     
     1        A.  Would it be relevant or helpful if I were to provide
     2        subsequent to today other evidence of other organisations
     3        or authorities using the word in a generic sense?
     4
     5   Q.   No, it would not.  Unless I misunderstand what you are
     6        asking, it falls directly far of the authority on the
     7        matter.
     8
     9   MR. MORRIS:  Right.  Continuing to read the statement:
    10
    11   MR. RAMPTON:  The bottom of page 1.
    12
    13   MR. MORRIS:  Continuing to read:
    14
    15        "4.  There are many causes of tropical deforestation,
    16        including logging, cattle ranching, shifting cultivation,
    17        transmigration, mining and infrastructure developments and
    18        fuel collection.  The impact of development pressures like
    19        these varies from country to country."
    20
    21        Just one question on that:  In McDonald's letter of 1982,
    22        which was tab 9 in the pink bundle, talking about
    23        deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon between 1976 and
    24        1975, Elizabeth Densmore says:
    25
    26        "Highway construction resulted in a loss of 25 per cent of
    27        the Brazilian Amazon while cattle ranching contributed to
    28        another 38 per cent."
    29
    30        I presume it is 25 per cent and 38 per cent of the
    31        deforestation that took place?
    32        A.  It is, yes, and that is ----
    33
    34   Q.   Are those percentages correct?  Of the deforestation that
    35        took place, about 38 per cent in that period was caused by
    36        the cattle ranching?
    37        A.  Those are Brazilian Government figures.
    38
    39   Q.   Right?
    40        A.  Some of them are referred to in paragraph 4.2.
    41
    42   Q.   I am sorry.
    43
    44   MR. JUSTICE BELL: Why do you not read on.  What might be a good
    45        idea is, subject to anything which Mr. Secrett wants to
    46        interject, see if you cannot get through the statement
    47        before 1 o'clock.  We will adjourn then. When we come back
    48        at 2 you can ask any supplementary questions you want to.
    49
    50   MR. MORRIS:  Thank you very much. 
    51 
    52        "4.1.  The expansion of pasture and cropland has been the 
    53        driving development pressure on topical forest areas in
    54        Central American nations, including Guatemala and Costa
    55        Rica.  It has been estimated that more than one quarter of
    56        all Central American forests have been destroyed since 1960
    57        to produce beef.  85 to 95 per cent of which went to the
    58        United States:  This represents less than 2 per cent of
    59        total US beef consumption, but has a devastating effect on
    60        Central American forests.  ('Topical Moist Forests:  The

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