CONTRADIÇÕES NO COMÉRCIO DE MADEIRA CERTIFICADA EM UMA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DO NORDESTE DO BRASIL

Illegal timber extraction is an important driver of deforestation, compromising biodiversity and its environmental services. Certification is a strategy to oppose illegal market, and responsible and well-informed sellers and buyers are crucial players. Here, the trade of certified wood in the Metropolitan Area of Recife, Pernambuco, is investigated in order to a) evaluate the level of knowledge from local sellers on the certification process, b) access the status of the certified market, and c) identify difficulties and perspectives for certified timber in the region. Based on 33 interviews, we identified that the local certified wood trade is marked by contradictions. About 75% of salespeople do not know how to correctly indicate a certified product, and almost half ignore certification seals and how to correctly identify certified wood. In general, sellers are unaware of basic certification concepts, legal frameworks and certification protocols. Although declaring some environmental concern, selling companies are rarely engaged in environmental projects or campaigns on the use of certified wood. Despite the contradictions, there is a favorable environment for the spread of the certification concept and marketing of these products, but adjustments – especially on the information flow – are necessary in this process. Keywords : Conselho Brasileiro de Manejo Florestal; forest certification; FSC.