Brazilian Senate passes forest law that is feared to affect Amazon

The new legal framework adopted reduces the percentage of forest and jungle that producers must take care. It has sparked protests.

The Brazilian Senate passed a controversial forestry legislation, which had the support of farmers and ranchers, but it was frowned upon by environmentalists.

Supporters of the proposal said the new rules will help reduce carbon emissions and set more realistic laws against deforestation, which has become the fastest growing region in agriculture. The law reduces the percentage of land that farmers and ranchers should be kept as forest or jungle. It also grants amnesty to other cases of illegal logging.

Critics say the law will encourage developers to continue with the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, while supporters say it ties the legal reality in Brazil. After a long debate, the Brazilian Senate approved the legislation 59 votes in favor and 7 against.

In recent years, landowners and developers and the government have spent millions to promote the growth of the production of soybeans, meat and have built large hydroelectric dams in the region. "Brazil should be concerned about the environment, but also has the responsibility to feed the world", said Senator Jorge Viana in a statement in favor of the law. Brazil is the largest exporter of beef in the world and second in soybean.

The Brazilian government pledged at the World Climate Conference 2009 to reduce Amazon deforestation by 80% by 2020. Brazil is the sixth largest emitter of gases that cause global warming, mainly due to deforestation. The South American giant has 5 million km2 of forests, which cover 60% of the territory.

Within the approved regulations, landowners and farmers still must preserve forested and jungles areas, and made reforestation duties to help to cut carbon emissions. It also includes stricter limits and tougher penalties.

Environmental activists said the renovation of the old laws was necessary, but that is excessive given amnesty. It is expected that the document gets into the hands of President Rousseff early in the following year. This could be a challenge for the leader, who has been supporting development projects, but must also respond to the left sector within his coalition.

Sources: mexico.cnn.com; es-us.noticias.yahoo.com