The plenary of the Chamber of Deputies approved, this Wednesday (8), a bill that excludes forestry from the list of activities considered potentially polluting and using environmental resources. The text amends the National Environmental Policy (Law 6,938/1981) and goes to presidential sanction.
The approval in plenary took place hours after the urgent approval to consider the topic. Among other definitions, forestry comprises the cultivation of forests planted for commercial purposes, such as the production of eucalyptus, pine and mahogany.
Divergence
The project generated divergence between agribusiness groups and environmentalists because it allows for the exemption of prior environmental licensing for forestry activities. According to article 10 of Law 6,938, which established the National Environmental Policy, such licensing is required of businesses “using environmental resources, actually or potentially polluting”.
By excluding forestry from the list of potentially polluting activities, the text makes it possible to dispense with environmental licensing for large-scale production of crops such as eucalyptus and pine, used in the manufacture of paper, cellulose and wood.
“Where the eucalyptus is, it is called the green desert. No plants or animals grow there, it absorbs an excessive amount of water”, said Patrus Ananias (PT-MG). For him, eucalyptus planting must be reconciled with environmental balance.
According to deputy Domingos Sávio (PL-MG), being against forestry is being against the planting of forests. “You need wood, it is part of people’s lives. Wood from forestry prevents deforestation and helps reduce global warming,” he said during the voting session.
*with information from Agência Câmara de Notícias
**text corrected at 1:46 pm. Hours before being approved in plenary, the project received urgency in the Chamber; not passing through the Constitution and Justice Commission, as previously informed.
