Proposed Brazilian Law Could Permit Massive Deforestation
12/5/99
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Title: Proposed Brazilian law could permit massive deforestation
Source: WWF Press Release
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: December 5, 1999
WWF, the world's largest conservation organization, today warned that
a new law proposed by the Federal Government could cause the greatest
environmental damage ever seen in Brazil, and lead to massive loss of
biodiversity and natural resources. One third of the rainforests left
in the world are located in this country. But Brazil has already lost
40 percent of its natural forests.
The Brazilian Government's proposal will make it possible to convert
natural forests into agricultural land with no official control. In
addition, it will encourage the replacement of native forests by
eucalyptus and other exotic species, especially in small rural
properties in the Amazon and in the Cerrado. It will also allow forest
exploitation on steep slopes and riverine areas that are presently
protected. The last remnants of the Atlantic Forest will be
particularly at risk. (1)
"If this law passes, it will change the entire environmental legal
framework," said Robert Buschbacher, WWF-Brazil Conservation Director.
"Above all, it will expose all remaining Brazilian forests to massive
destruction, as it prioritizes land conversion into agriculture."
The proposed bill is the result of heavy lobbying by the National
Council for Agriculture, a farmer's organization, without any public
participation (2). It surprised environmentalists, who alerted
congressmen from opposition parties.
"This effort disregards the Technical Chamber of the National
Environment Council (CONAMA) that was created to review the 1965
Forestry Code," said Analuce Freitas, WWF-Brazil's Programme Officer
for Public Policy. "This chamber was set up to assure democratic
participation of all sectors of Brazilian society." (3)
The government's proposal also goes against international treaties
already signed by Brazil. For example, it revokes the paragraph in
existing law that designates forests and other natural sites providing
shelter for migrating birds as reserves and other protected areas.
For further information, please contact:
Ulisses Lacava and Regina Vasquez, WWF-Brazil, tel.: +55 61 248 28 99
Robert Bushbacher, tel.: +1 202 778 96 57 (from Monday 6 December
1999)
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Congress will vote the proposal on Wednesday 8 December 1999.
2. The Minister of the Environment himself, Jos, Sarney Filho, did not
take part in negotiations on the proposed new law and said he does not
agree with it.
3. CONAMA is the top organ in the environment system in Brazil and it
includes representatives from civil society, business and the
government.