Success! Dangerous Forestry Law Partially Vetoed By Brazil

Feeling pressure from the upcoming Rio+20 Summit, Brazilian leadership recently vetoed parts of a new forestry code that would have opened up the Amazon to further deforestation. It was just a month ago that the country’s Congress approved a major overhaul of its 1965 forestry law, a decision that thrilled the powerful agri-business lobby who pushed it forward.

The proposed revisions prompted an outcry from environmental advocates who have worked for years to establish greater protections for the flora and fauna of the Amazon. Following approval of the draft bill, over 26,000 members of the Care2 community signed a petition asking the Brazilian government to stop it from moving forward.

Even though the acidic soil of the Amazon rainforest lacks the nutrients necessary to support successful farming ventures, agricultural development continues to be a leading cause of its destruction. In order to clear large tracts of land for cultivation, many farmers employ slash and burn techniques which to release nutrients locked up in vegetation and produce a layer of nutrient-rich material that will support crops. Unfortunately, this layer only lasts for a few growing cycles. To compensate, farm operations use copious amount of chemical fertilizers which often wash into local streams, poisoning aquatic life.

In June, world leaders will gather in Rio de Janero to discuss the need for a green economy and strategies for sustainable development. Brazilian officials must have realized that weakening regulations on logging and ranching operations in the vast South American forest just weeks before the Summit would likely draw global criticism.

President Dilma Rousseff removed 12 controversial articles and made 31 modifications to the bill which was to be published Monday in a special executive measure that enters into effect immediately. Unfortunately, some of vetoed sections included requirements for reforestation and reductions in the amount of forest land left intact along riverbanks.

Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said that in vetoing parts of the bill the government was seeking to ensure that there was no loss of areas of the Amazon and protected sensitive ecosystems. She said the government also acted to prevent amnesties for those who had illegally cleared areas in the past, to preserve small landowners, and hold timber producers responsible for protecting the environment.

Thank you to all the Care2 members who took action and helped prompt this important decision to save the rainforest!

This Amazon Fungus Can Eat Your Garden Hose!

Wikileaks: 70 Percent Of Peruvian Timber Felled Illegally

Image via Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Harshiita S.

4:09AM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

Thanks for the post!!

June 9
send a green star

Olivia L.

10:45PM PDT on Jun 4, 2012

This is a great victory not only for the forest, but for the people who depend on the forests to live.

June 4
send a green star

eusebio v.

6:37AM PDT on Jun 4, 2012

Salvem as florestas tropicais

Christina B.

4:26AM PDT on Jun 4, 2012

Lets hope (and keep fighting!) for bigger and better protection of this amazing piece of Earth.

jorge t.

3:07PM PDT on Jun 3, 2012

Dear Isabel Texeira the weather of your neigboirs like Argentina had change more dry spell turning the fetile Pampasa intos dusty soil and very dry.... Perhaps is the ultimate betrayal humans do to this earth .....destroy totally.... Like every thing fopr money and power....thanks for starting....something positive....