Brazil´s Amazon Forest Faces Setback in the Fight Against Deforestation
The recent passing of a law in Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest soybean-producing state, marks a significant setback for the conservation efforts in the Amazon, threatening to void the historic Soy Moratorium agreement that has played a crucial role in preventing deforestation for nearly two decades.
Key points to consider:
- The Soy Moratorium began in 2006 as a response to a Greenpeace investigation linking major American commodity companies like Cargill, Bunge, and ADM to soy production in illegally deforested areas.
- Studies have shown that the moratorium, along with public policies, has led to a substantial reduction in Amazon deforestation between 2003 and 2016.
- The new legislation in Mato Grosso, supported by soybean producers and lawmakers, terminates tax benefits for companies participating in agreements restricting agricultural activities in legally deforested areas.
The law, signed by Governor Mauro Mendes, emphasizes that only crops from illegally deforested sections of a farm will be blocked from sale. This precision in monitoring deforested areas is highlighted as a critical challenge by experts, raising doubts about its feasibility. Whereas the moratorium entirely prohibits selling crops from properties with deforestation post-2008, the state law allows sales if only a specific area is deforested unlawfully.
Supporters of the law argue that it aligns more closely with Brazilian legislation that permits deforestation up to 20% on large rural properties in the Amazon. Mato Grosso´s soy producers have expressed resolve to end the moratorium, suggesting tensions between agricultural interests and environmental conservation.
‘A setback’
Environmental organizations and the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries have criticized the new law, terming it a regression. Bernardo Pires, the sustainability director at Abiove, asserts that companies committed to sustainability deserve more benefits rather than punitive measures. These multinationals, including Cargill, Bunge, and ADM, are significant purchasers of soy from Mato Grosso.
The conflict intensifies as market demand for zero-deforestation products grows among European consumers. Cristiane Mazzetti from Greenpeace Brazil condemns the law as a manifestation of double standards by politicians with vested interests in agribusiness. The clash of interests between environmental protection and economic development underscores the complexity of the issue facing Brazil.
In conclusion, the conflicting perspectives and interests highlighted by the moratorium’s termination in Mato Grosso reflect broader challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. As the Amazon continues to face threats from deforestation, finding common ground and working towards sustainable solutions is key to safeguarding the world’s largest tropical rainforest for future generations.
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