After Germany suspended its support of Amazon forest protection projects on Saturday--amounting to more than $150 million--President Jair Bolsonaro suggested on Sunday that Brazil did not need the money.
On Saturday (10) Germany announced that it will suspend transfers to Amazon protection projects sent to Brazil by the German Ministry of Environment. The embassy says the decision "reflects the major concern over the increase in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon." The suspension may exceed R$ 150 million.
"[Germany] will no longer buy the Amazon; it will stop buying installments from the Amazon. You can make good use of this money. Brazil does not need this," the president said.
Recently, deforestation in the Amazon has grown sharply. Destruction in June increased 88% and in July 278% - compared to June and July 2018 - according to data from Inpe (National Institute for Space Research) Deter (Detecting Real Deforestation).
The Bolsonaro government has criticized the disclosure of deforestation data and has stated that it may undermine trade agreements. Government criticism, however, is not backed by scientific information.
The environmental relationship between Brazil and European countries that provide resources for environmental protection has deteriorated since the beginning of Bolsonaro's administration.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon