Amid record deforestation and fires in Brazil, the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, said on Monday (13) that Brazil feeds the world while preserving the environment. For him, countries "hide behind environmental protectionist policies" while condemning Brazil.
In a videoconference promoted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Guedes asked other nations for help to encourage preservation policies but said that the country's sovereignty needs to be maintained.
"Brazil feeds the world while preserving its environment. If there are excesses and errors, we will correct it. We will not accept illegal deforestation, illegal exploitation of resources. Brazil is a continental country; the Amazon is bigger than Europe; it is difficult to monitor everything; it is difficult to monitor everything," he said.
In June, Amazon deforestation increased compared to the previous year, the highest record since 2016. It was the 14th consecutive month of increased deforestation in the biome.
The region has also seen fires rise. The increase occurs in relation to 2019, a year marked by fires that scorched Brazil's international environmental image.
Pantanal also saw a record number of fires even with the pandemic of the new coronavirus.
At the meeting, the minister said that Brazil preserves the environment and indigenous peoples. He asked for support "to make it better."
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon