Appeal for Brazilian forest code from Forum of Ex-ministers

05/22/2012 - 14h03

We, the Forum of Brazilian Ex-Ministers of the Environment, direct this public appeal to the president of the Republic with respect to the law 1976/99, approved by the Chamber of Deputies, for the modification of the Forest Code.

We recognize and draw attention to President Dilma's commitment, put forth when she was still a candidate and reaffirmed repeatedly in the last few months (including during a meeting in May 2011 with representatives of the Forum of Ex-Ministers of the Environment), to veto any Brazilian legislation that allows for an increase in deforestation or amnesty for those who participate in illegal deforestation.

We also observe that this commitment, which was widely supported by Brazilian public opinion, reflects the best interests of the nation, which have been entrusted to the faithful care of the president.

The National Committee in Defense of Forests and Sustainable Development, as well as various sectors of academic civil society and of the manufacturing sector, have expressed significant concern for the consequences of this law that has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies.

We ask for a complete veto of the regressive content of the text, which drastically reduces the protected status of the forest in Brazil, as well as the standards for environmental governance that have been built up over the past few decades. More than 2 million people have signed a petition to protest this issue.

In the name of the Forum of Ex-ministers, we ask that the president, in accordance with her previous commitment and with the concern expressed by society, veto every permanent or temporary standard that:

-Indicates to the country the possibility of present or future amnesty;

-Permits deforestation with impunity;

-Redefines come characteristics of the forest that are protected in current legislation;

-Directly or indirectly reduces the natural capital that is associated with the forest;

-Weakens services designated for the forest;

-Complicates, exhausts or discourages mechanisms for restoration;

-Or further weakens environmental governance.

At the same time, we understand the constant need to create a strategic normative frame of reference, aligned with contemporary challenges, in a way that takes advantage of the resources associated with our forests.

Therefore, with the accumulated experience of so many years of public service, and with the diversity of its members, the Forum puts itself at the disposal of this goal; to support, in a way that is judged to be most appropriate, the Legislative development of a proposal that envisions a sustainable forest policy --one that respects the efforts of conservation, restoration, and the economic use of natural resources that are associated with our forests.

The authors are members of the Forum of Brazilian Ex-Ministers of the Environment

CARLOS MINC, 60, minister between 2008 and 2010 (under Lula); MARINA SILVA, 54, minister between 2003 and 2008 (Lula); JOSÉ CARLOS CARVALHO, 59, minister in 2002 (under Fernando Henrique Cardoso); JOSÉ SARNEY FILHO, 54, minister from 1999 to 2002 (FHC); GUSTAVO KRAUSE, 65, minister from 1995 to 1998 (FHC); HENRIQUE BRANDÃO CAVALCANTI, 83, minister in 1994 (under Itamar Franco); RUBENS RICUPERO, 75, minister between 1993 and 1994 (Itamar); FERNANDO COUTINHO JORGE, 72, minister between 1992 and 1993 (Itamar); JOSÉ GOLDEMBERG, 83, Secretary of the Environment in 1992 (under Fernando Collor de Mello); PAULO NOGUEIRA NETO, 90, Special Secretary of the Environment between 1973 and 1985 (under Médici, Geisel and Figueiredo)

Translated by ANNA EDGERTON