New Law project is enforcing deforestation in all Brazil

Famille, amis, amigos and friends,

This is too serious matter not to be discussed worldwide. Changes in the Brazilian forest law "forgiving" deforestation were recently voted in the House of the Deputies (1st Chamber of Brazilian Congress). It still has to be voted in the Senate. Recent discussions in Senate commissions, however, ignored most of tecnical and scientific opinions. If everything goes wrong, the Brazilian President, Mrs Dilma Rousseff, can still veto it, if sufficiently supported by public opinion.

This is even more dangerous than the gigantic dams in the Amazon, as its potential harm would affect all Brazilian ecossystems in a much larger scale and in the long term. It already does, as deforestation increased as direct consequence of a strong campaign in favor of regulation changes, in the name of "progress" and growth, partially financed by world agricultural and foodstuffs corporations. Millions of hectares of rainforest, biodiverse savanna (Cerrado), Pantanal wetlands and even coastal reefs are at stake.

Now, with enough time for discussion, this shamefull project may still be transformed into a positive, compreensive and efficient regulation. Proposals are ready, but powerfull interests for short term profit are against it (see 1st link below).

Thank you for mobilizing friends and passing these links ahead. Mobilize organizations and individuals with means for broader debate, mobilization - and reaction.

Merci. Thank you.

Jean-François Timmers

Conservation biologist, Brazil.