Minister Gilberto Carvalho said the government was not expecting the decision taken by the deputies. (Photo: camara.gov.br/YouTube, band/FIS)

Forestry Reform Code excludes shrimp farm regularization

BRAZIL
Tuesday, May 01, 2012, 02:10 (GMT + 9)

The House of Representatives passed a bill amending the Forest Code, which excludes the rule on regulation of shrimp farms and salt production plants of the country with unsteady occupation recorded until 22 July, 2008.

The amendment, adopted by 274 votes in favor, 184 against and 2 abstentions, implies that the hypersaline sandy plains, known as ‘apicuns,’ are not considered as permanent preservation areas.

In this regard, environmentalists insist that these areas are part of the mangroves and should be preserved.

Mangroves, including salt flats, cover an area of 12,000 square kilometres, about eight times the size of Sao Paulo.

And the shrimp farms cover about 185 square kilometres.

Some senators disagree on the economic use of part of the mangroves, which is exploited for shrimp farming and salt production.

Meanwhile, the minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Gilberto Carvalho, said the government did not expect this decision, which President [Dilma Vana Rousseff] has the right to veto.

The measure will be analyzed with "calmness," the official stated.

President Rousseff’s decision considers aspects beyond the impact that the Forest Code may have on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20).

"Much more important than Rio +20 is our concern over the preservation and the sustainable development model we support," said the minister, according to Terra.

The text adopted by MEPs will now be subjected to debate in the Senate.

Related article:

- Shrimp producers on tenterhooks due to a new forest code

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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