Jose Sarney Filho Discusses Brazil's Environmental Progress
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Title: Jos, Sarney Filho Discusses Brazil's Environmental Progress
Source: Jornal do Brasil
Status: Copyright 2000, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: February 2, 2000
The last two weeks have perhaps been the most difficult in all of
Environmental Minister Jos, Sarney Filho's year in office so far the
oil spill in Guanabara Bay was the worst environmental disaster in
recent Brazilian history.
Understandably, Sarney Filho is far less than happy about the
situation, and is pleased that the legal system allowed for IBAMA's
(the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural
Resources) R$50 million fine of Petrobras, the company responsible
for the accident.
The fine will serve as an example for other businesses thinking of
saving money and effort by slacking in environmental concern.
Considering the extent of the fine, it can be seen as an indication
of the progressed Brazil has experienced in environmental legislation
in recent years.
There has been some controversy surrounding Petrobras'- attempt at
stretching the legal system so as to obtain a 30% reduction in the
fine, but president Fernando Henrique Cardoso has ruled that the fine
will be paid in full by the company.
Sarney Filho describes the opposition to environmental advances as
being certain elements of the rural sector that are embedded in the
past - past methods and past concerns.
They have simply failed to see the advantages in conserving the
nation's biodiversity and maintaining sustainable extraction of
resources, and thus promote out of date means for making money -
namely deforestation. The timber companies also play a large part,
principally in their use of poor landless people to do the work of
cutting down trees, appealing to these peoples'- need to worry about
the here and now, rather than looking to the future.
However, Sarney Filho stresses that Brazil is making huge advances in
its ability to detect and counter illegal deforestation, principally
referring to the SIVAM project, which will be able to monitor such
activity in great detail, and in real time.
Sarney Filho also emphasises the importance of projects to clean up
garbage and sewer systems in Amazonian cities, which is a key focus
of environmental progress in Brazil.