Greenpeace denounces violation of Forest Act

The focus is in selective allowed clearing for intensive livestock production in Santiago del Estero, Chaco and Córdoba.

The environmental organization warned that the expansion plans of livestock in the north threaten to over 10 million hectares of native forests.

By air and ground survey, Greenpeace noted the severe environmental impact of the implementation of intensive livestock agroforestry systems in native forests of the Chaco region. Also found that they violate the Forest Act to be allowed in areas where, according to national legislation should not be allowed clearance.

"Silvopastoral systems in native forests are not sustainable and are a clearing in stages. After application of the roller or bulldozer, very few trees left standing and lost almost all of the biodiversity", said Hernán Giardini, coordinator of Greenpeace forest campaigner. "In addition to the introduction of grazing, involves the destruction of the future of the forest undergrowth", he said.

Since the enactment of the Forest Act in late 2007, and the implementation by the provinces of Land Management of its native forests, the authorization of new clearing shall be limited to forest areas classified as Category III (green), after EIA and public hearing.

However, the governments of Santiago del Estero, Chaco and Córdoba selective clearing authorized by intensive livestock agroforestry systems in native forests classified as Category II (yellow). In the latter, according to national legislation can not afford cuts and "may be subject to the following uses: sustainable tourism, collection and scientific research."

In that sense, Greenpeace claimed that, in compliance with the provisions of the Forest Act, silvopastoral systems for intensive livestock production are permitted only in zoned forests in Category III (green), as clarified in a statement.

Sources: www.ambito.com; www.greenpeace.org