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New Brazilian Environment Minister says Amazon soya deal should be extended to beef and timber
Greenpeace believes approach could be the key to saving the rainforest
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Carlos Minc, the new Brazilian Environment Minister has called for a critical deal struck by Greenpeace and McDonald's to stop the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest for soya, to be replicated for the beef and timber industries. Yesterday (17th June) the deal was extended by a year despite concerns that soya barons and rising commodity prices would threatened it. Along with soya farming, cattle ranching and logging are the main forces driving Amazon destruction. Greenpeace believes a "firewall" of moratoria on soya, beef and timber could the key to achieving the protection needed to save the Amazon rainforest.
Paulo Adario, Director of Greenpeace's Amazon campaign said:
"Minc's words indicate a promising approach by the Brazilian government. If an Amazon deforestation firewall is created, with a series of moratoria covering soya, timber and beef, this could buy the necessary time to put in place permanent protection; protection for the forest, the biodiversity, the people and ultimately the climate. Greenpeace will hold Minc to his words and stands ready to help in any way possible. The current challenges for the soya industry and the government to implement their commitments remain tough, and they include the major task of mapping rural properties and ownership in the Amazon. A one year extension may not be long enough to build the tools necessary to ensure that soya production does not result in further deforestation."
Note to the editor:
Translation of Minc's quote: "The moratorium is a successful initiative by civil society and the soya industry. The Federal Government is entering the process now and is committed to register and license all rural properties in the Amazon biome," Minc told reporters. "Inspired by the success of this initiative, the Brazilian government is negotiating similar approaches with the timber and beef industries."
Paulo Adario, Director of Greenpeace's Amazon campaign said:
"Minc's words indicate a promising approach by the Brazilian government. If an Amazon deforestation firewall is created, with a series of moratoria covering soya, timber and beef, this could buy the necessary time to put in place permanent protection; protection for the forest, the biodiversity, the people and ultimately the climate. Greenpeace will hold Minc to his words and stands ready to help in any way possible. The current challenges for the soya industry and the government to implement their commitments remain tough, and they include the major task of mapping rural properties and ownership in the Amazon. A one year extension may not be long enough to build the tools necessary to ensure that soya production does not result in further deforestation."
Note to the editor:
Translation of Minc's quote: "The moratorium is a successful initiative by civil society and the soya industry. The Federal Government is entering the process now and is committed to register and license all rural properties in the Amazon biome," Minc told reporters. "Inspired by the success of this initiative, the Brazilian government is negotiating similar approaches with the timber and beef industries."