In
response to growing pressure from environmentalists all over the
globe, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vetoed parts of the
controversial forestry bill, in a move that has been welcomed by FRA.
Seattle,
United States, May 30, 2012 -- In response to growing pressure
from environmentalists all over the globe, Brazilian President Dilma
Rousseff has vetoed parts of the controversial forestry bill, in a
move that has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).
The
President had pledged to veto the bill if she won the election while
on her campaign trail and pressure to fulfil her promise had been
rising over the past month. The bill was passed through the country’s
congress back in April and was threatening to allow land owners to
develop more of the Amazon forest for agricultural purposes. It was
also planning to introduce an amnesty for anyone who had been found
illegally logging timber before 2008.
FRA,
a research and analysis consultancy, said it welcomed the decision to
partially veto the bill and particularly welcomed the dropping of the
amnesty out of the plans. A total of 12 articles were removed from
the bill. It is thought that Rousseff would have been partly
persuaded to go ahead with the veto in light of the fact that Brazil
is hosting the Rio+20 Summit later in the year, at which some of the
world’s great leaders will gather to work on environmental issues.
FRA,
which promotes investment in sustainable forestry and the
reforestation of the Brazilian forests, said that Rousseff could have
gone further but that the most damaging parts of the bill have been
removed. Its analysis partner, Peter Collins, said, “Here at FRA,
we welcome the veto and continue to support projects such as those
run by Greenwood
Management in Brazil.”
Greenwood
Management runs plantation projects in Brazil which help to supply
sustainably grown timber products and coal to domestic and overseas
customers, including the Brazilian steel industry, who may otherwise
depend on timber form the Amazon.
About
Forestry Research Associates
Forestry
Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that
focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry
investment around the globe.
Media
Contact:
Peter
Collins
Forestry
Research Associates
620
Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge
Island, WA 98110
(206)
316 8394
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