Brazilian food processor JBS SA has been buying cattle from ranchers operating on deforested land in the Amazon that the government had said must not be used for grazing, a newspaper report said on Tuesday.
Deforestation in Brazil's portion of the Amazon rainforest soared more than 88% in June compared with the same month a year ago, the second consecutive month of rising forest destruction under new President Jair Bolsonaro, who has called for the development of the region.
President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday Germany has “a lot to learn” from Brazil when it comes to the environment, hitting back at criticism over deforestation in the Amazon. Bolsonaro made the remarks in Japan on the eve of the G20 summit, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday she would seek “straight talk” with the Brazilian leader over destruction of the rainforest.
Peru opened this week a military base in the Amazon in a bid to tackle illegal mining, the main culprit for deforestation in the world's largest rainforest. “The government has taken the political decision to be present in this region to eradicate illegal mining,” said Defense Minister Jose Huerta at the inauguration of the base in the Tambopata nature reserve.
The head of Brazil's environmental protection agency has resigned following criticism from the country's newly inaugurated far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.