June 5, 2008

 

Brazil steps up efforts to stop cattle encroachment on the Amazon

 
 

Brazil's new environmental minister has decided to focus his efforts on the spread of cattle farmers in the amazon in order to prevent further deforestation.

 

The Amazon's estimated 73 million cows is seen as the biggest driver of deforestation.

 

According to The Associated Press, the minister, Carlos Minc, says Brazil's government will impound cattle caught grazing on illegally cleared pastures with an operation, dubbed "Rogue Bull," to attack deforestation in the rain forest.

 

Based on historical patterns, Minc said higher meat prices would mean greater destruction of the Amazon as farmers seek more pastures.

 

The Associated Press reports that officials are going after livestock because ranchers routinely chop down trees in public forests for grazing land.

 

Officials said Amazon deforestation appears to be accelerating again after three years of decline as international demand for agricultural products skyrocket.

 

Minc replaces Marina Silva, a renowned Amazon defender who resigned May 13, citing stagnation in promoting the federal environmental agenda.

 

Government researchers said Monday that preliminary data indicate the Amazon lost at least 2,258 square miles of forest cover from August 2007 to April 2008. That was up from 1,920 square miles over the same period a year before.

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