Tag Archives: forestry bill

Rousseff Government Vetoes Parts of Forestry Bill

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
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

FRA calls for Rousseff Forestry Act Veto

FRA is joining the campaign to increase pressure on Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff to veto the Forestry Bill.

Seattle, United States, May 21, 2012 — Forestry Research Associates (FRA) is joining the campaign to increase pressure on Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff to veto the Forestry Bill.

FRA, a research and analysis consultancy specialising in sustainable forestry and forestry investments, has added its voice to those of environmental groups all over the world who are campaigning for the forestry bill to be thrown out by the popular president. The bill would allow those carrying out illegal logging to get away without paying fines through an amnesty. It would also open up areas of forest to loggers to make way for the cultivation of riverbanks regions.

During Rousseff’s campaign trail in 2010, she promised to veto the bill, which campaigners claim threatens the future of the Amazon rainforest and the un-contacted tribes that live in its depths.

The current laws ensure that around 80 per cent of the privately owned land in the Amazon remain as forest, while the new bill would allow landowners to cultivate more of this land.

FRA said that the bill represents a major threat to the good work that the Brazilian government has done over the past decade to try to limit deforestation. It said that the moves to draw industry away from the use of forest timber and towards the use of timber grown in sustainable plantations, such as those run by investment firms like Greenwood Management, has helped to significantly reduce the rate at which rainforests are being destroyed in the Latin American country.

“This bill represents the largest threat to the Amazon that we have seen for years,” stated FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins.

He added, “We call upon President Rousseff to fulfil her pre-election manifesto by vetoing the plans to open up more of the Amazon to agriculture and development. We are also against the amnesty for illegal loggers that sends the wrong message to those involved in the practice all over the world.”

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
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com