The RSPB says that 42 species of birds, including the endangered Imperial Eagle, depend on the cork forests. This is the only industry that actually cultivates oak forests and nurtures ancient woodlands. All the conservation and environmental groups should take this issue up. If this unique wildlife habitat goes, it will never be replaced. Britain exerts disproportionate influence on the future of cork because it is such an important market.
Natural products are in increasing demand everywhere.
There is no product more natural than real cork. Cork is of great importance to Portuguese jobs and the economy. It is the only economic sector in which Portugal is the world leader. The environmental as well as social and economic importance of the industry needs to be highlighted. The cork oak forests of Portugal are Europe's Amazon forests,' said Jorge Paiva, a botanist at Coimbra University.