By Anna Mudeva

THE HAGUE, June 7 (Reuters) - A bid to curb logging of South and Central American cedar trees, the source of some of the world's most valuable timber, failed on Thursday at a United Nations wildlife meeting.

Germany, acting on behalf of the European Union, withdrew a proposal requesting the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulate trade in cedar, after strong opposition from central and south American countries.

The EU and conservationists have argued the cedar, used in the building trade and to make furniture and musical instruments, needs protection due to a significant depletion in numbers resulting from too much logging, some of it illegal.

But Mexico and south American countries, where cedar is a lucrative business, said there was not enough evidence to suggest the trees were in danger and more data was needed.

"In this situation after getting this clear message from the range states, the EU feels that there is no point to put the proposal to vote," said the delegate, representing Germany at the CITES June 3-15 meeting in The Hague.

The Spanish cedar or cedrela, which has been harvested for at least 250 years, is esteemed for its aromatic and pink-tinged timber which is resistant to insects and rots.

The EU had sought to have cedar listed on CITES Appendix II that regulates international trade in animal and plant species.

Despite domestic efforts to create protected areas for cedar and regulate use, illegal logging is reported in Peru, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela, the Species Survival Network said.

Peru and Bolivia are the world's biggest exporters of cedar timber, while Mexico and the United State are the largest buyers.

"The species is not in danger in Mexico," said Ramon Carrillo Arelano of the Mexican delegation at CITES.

"We need to collect data and make a research first. If it proves that the trees are in danger, then we would support a listing," he said.

CITES, whose restrictions were once aimed at exotic species like leopards and parrots, is now focusing on more commercially important animals and plants.

Other valuable tree species like rosewood and marine species like the spiny dogfish and the porbeagle shark, the European eel and pink coral -- all threatened -- feature high on the agenda of The Hague meeting.

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