BRASILIA, Brazil -- Several states in Brazil are moving to weaken rainforest protections, responding to demands from cattle ranchers and soybean growers for increased agricultural land. This shift conflicts with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's efforts to reduce Amazon deforestation, jeopardizing the country's commitment to halt deforestation by 2030.
Alice Thuault, executive director of the Instituto Centro de Vida, noted a coordinated setback in conservation efforts, highlighting the fragility of progress in some regions. Brazil's nine Amazonian states manage nearly 220,000 square miles of conservation lands and 12,600 square miles of public forests lacking protective designation.
Acre state recently passed a law allowing the privatization of approximately 347 square miles of protected forest, aiming to legalize the status of individuals who have settled illegally in conservation areas. The law has received backing from agribusiness organizations advocating for reduced environmental regulations.
In response to the legislation, Acre Environment Secretary Julie Messias resigned, citing potential constitutional issues. The law's implementation has been postponed until January 1 for a legal evaluation.
Deforestation rates in Acre surged following the law's passage, with illegal activities increasing more than threefold compared to the previous year. In neighboring Rondonia, local authorities are attempting to annul conservation units and have reported extensive damage from fires linked to land-grabbing efforts.
Additionally, significant changes to the Soy Moratorium, an agreement aimed at preventing the purchase of soybeans from recently deforested land, have occurred in Mato Grosso and Rondonia, prompting concerns from environmental groups. Critics argue that the moratorium is illegal, while the Mato Grosso government asserts it enforces stringent environmental regulations.
Brazil ranks as the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, with nearly half of its emissions stemming from deforestation. The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in regulating the climate and is home to a vast array of biodiversity.