Latest Photo Galleries
Brazilian Markets
16h15 Bovespa |
-0,33% | 123.971 |
16h43 Gold |
0,00% | 117 |
16h27 Dollar |
-0,64% | 5,2344 |
16h30 Euro |
+0,49% | 2,65250 |
ADVERTISING
Temer Sanctions Discounts on Environmental Fines in Exchange for Green Initiatives
10/23/2017 - 11h56
Advertising
SILVIA FRIAS
FOLHA CONTRIBUTOR, FROM MIRANDA (MATO GROSSO DO SUL)
President Michel Temer sanctioned a bill on Saturday (the 21st) that will enable the application of discounts reaching up to 60% on environmental fines.
The remaining amount would be used to invest in the recovery of forest land. Environmentalist groups fear that the measure may be used to attend the interests of those represented by Congress' ruralist caucus.
According to Marcelo Cruz, who is currently serving as the Minister of the Environment, the decree is expected to help raise R$ 4.6 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) in funds for the ministry.
"We want to plant trees in order to collect water", stated Suely Araújo, the president of Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources).
According to Ms. Araújo, there will be two different ways of converting funds into environmental action.
A direct conversion would subtract 35% from fines, leaving offenders accountable for the provision of all environmental services.
The indirect modality - which, according to Ms. Araújo, will be a priority - would subtract 60% from fines. Funds collected through the indirect modality would then be transferred into accounts associated to projects that have been selected through public bidding processes.
Folha found out that conversion rules of the sort had already been anticipated, and that, at least in the meantime, they are being considered positive by environmentalist groups, precisely due to the fact that they would make offenders pay back through green initiatives.
However, concerns have emerged regarding the timing behind the sanctioning of the bill. On October 25th, Congress is scheduled to vote on whether or not to bar charges brought forward by the Prosecutor Genral's Office against president Michel Temer.
Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON
Read the article in the original language
Apu Gomes/AFP | ||
Brazil's President Michel Temer delivers a speech in Rio de Janeiro |