Brazil bill aims to ban satellite tool used to slow Amazon deforestation
A new bill in Brazil's Congress seeks to ban remote embargoes, a satellite-based tool used by IBAMA to enforce environmental regulations and curb Amazon deforestation. The measure, supported by the agribusiness caucus, would require authorities to notify landowners before imposing embargoes, slowing enforcement. Critics warn the change would undermine recent progress in reducing deforestation and make monitoring more costly and inefficient.
- ▪IBAMA uses satellite imagery to detect illegal deforestation and issue remote embargoes on affected land.
- ▪Remote embargoes have helped halve Amazon deforestation since President Lula took office in 2023.
- ▪The proposed bill would require landowners to be notified and allowed to defend themselves before an embargo is issued.
- ▪Issuing embargoes remotely is significantly cheaper and more efficient than on-site enforcement in remote areas.
- ▪Banning remote embargoes is part of a broader legislative package known as the 'Destruction Package' advancing in Congress.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The Brazilian agribusiness caucus is accelerating a bill to ban remote embargoes, a tool that allows environmental agents to block deforested land using satellite data.The measure impacts IBAMA’s raids and risks reversing the system that halved Amazon deforestation under the Lula administration.IBAMA officials warn that banning the technology is equivalent to “going back to the fax machine,” as it makes enforcement in remote areas significantly slower and more expensive.The proposal is part of a broader “Destruction Package” gaining momentum in Congress ahead of October’s general elections.See All Key Ideas (function($) { $(document).ready(function() { const bulletPoints = $('.bulletpoints'); const toggle = $('.bulletpoints-wrapper .content-expander'); if (bulletPoints.length > 0) { const…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mongabay — News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Mongabay — News
