Soya blazes a trail through the Amazon
It was a beautiful star gazing night last night and almost everyone was out on deck. The moon rose late and the lights on deck were off because we are in transit. In the distance, against the silhouette of the forest, there was an orange glow.
Coca said I hope that is the moon. I said, it isn't.
I've seen it many times before on this trip, the warm orange glow on the horizon accompanied by a smoky haze in the sky. The distinct smell of burning wood hung in the air.
Over the past week we documented huge deforested areas in Santarem, many still on fire, all being cleared for soya plantations. The aerial images confirm that the attack of private companies on the forest continues out of control and we delivered the images to the federal prosecutors.
The expansion of Brazil's soya market is fuelling an emerging cycle of deforestation. Over three-quarters of a million hectares of soya was planted within the Amazon deforestation belt by the end of 2001.
Three forces are driving soya expansion in Para state - low land prices, the lack of funding for an effective government inspection infrastructure, and the construction of Cargill's soya handling facilities in Santarem.
But federal prosecutors just announced that they will launch legal action in the federal courts calling for demolition of Cargills' soya handling facilities in Santarem. The federal prosecutors will also ask for the immediate suspension of the American corporation's activities in Santarem until the courts reach their decision.
Under Brazilian law the construction of the Cargill facility required prior preparation and approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment. Instead of complying, they chose to contest this requirement in the courts. After four years of court challenges, late last month the Court of Final Instance ruled unanimously against Cargill. However, in the interim, the multinational giant constructed their facility in Santarem's main beach, in violation of the law. Twenty-five families were displaced in the construction of the facilities.
At the announcement, Federal Prosecutor Felicio Pontes said "Cargill believed that because they were a powerful multinational, they could disrespect both Brazilian legislation and the environment. The court decision shows that they were wrong."
Way to go federal prosecutors - a victory for the people and the forest.
Before the completion of the Cargill facility, one hectare of rural land in the region cost R$50 (US$13). With the arrival of "gauchos", as the soya producers are called, the price per hectare skyrocketed to R$900 (US$300). Entire rural communities were displaced, the inhabitants having sold their land rights and moved to the city.
Based on our ongoing field investigations, we believe that deforestation this year will be even higher than last year. There is a growing and very dangerous trend appearing.
Traditionally cattle ranchers would move into areas that loggers had exploited, and clear the land for pastures. Empirical data now indicates that cattle ranchers continue to push into new areas that are being deforested, after exhaustive exploitation by loggers, later selling the areas to the soya producers. At the same time the soya producers are burning large tracts of the forest solely for conversion to large-scale agriculture
Between August 2001 and August 2002 deforestation in Brazil's Amazon increased 40 percent compared to the previous 12 months. Analysis of satellite images by the National Institute of Space Research (INPE) show that the destruction dramatically expanded beyond what is known as the "Arc of Deforestation" - that runs from the east and south of Para state towards Acre state - and is cutting deeper and deeper into the heart of the untouched forest. According to the Ministry of Environment, this deforestation is a direct result of the invasion of soya producers.
The burning question the government must answer: do they want to contain deforestation, support and promote sustainable alternatives, and strengthen the Ministry of Environment, or lose immense areas of the Amazon to predatory exploitation?
Until then, the fires rage on.
Tracy
Posted by Amazon Team at December 11, 2003 03:20 PM
The logging is outrageous and seems to be a classic example of predatory US capitalism. The displacement of local forest people and the destruction of fauna habitat is criminal. What is Cargill's head office address? Are there any other American firms involved or companies from other countries? A wide campaign should be mounted against them and their shareholders. Given enough publicity and information maybe these vandals could be stopped.
How can I help.. I don't have much money.. Is there anything I can do?
How can I help.. I don't have much money.. Is there anything I can do?
Peter, you're right: Suggest GP action against Cargill to highlight the situation in USA. Maybe we can do a brand name thing as with Exxon! Meanwhile, what's the next step in Brazil?
I find it very interesting and sad to find out that we, all human inhabitants of this beautiful planet, are loosing such valuable richness of fauna, flora and forestry for soya to be cultivated !!! What is with this soya ??? the latest trendy food that the multinational are wanting to invade the market with... Who likes it anyways ? and for the most it is probably Genetically Modified, so not only it they are destroying a life to plant this Genetically Modified seeds but on top of that it will be very difficult if not impossible to get rid of it, once the fashion of the soya will be over.
When are people going to realise that they have to protect their own backyard ! When the bonanza of the soya will be over there will be only desolation and colorful buterflies will have disappear, monkeys won't swing from branches, birds won't sing a dawn... and all this because of human greed and governments negligence.
I believe Environmentalist in Brazil are trying to do something about but why is their voice not heard ?
I agree with you that it is sad that we are losing out beautiful earth so soya can be cultivated, however that does not mean we should end it all together. Soya can be cultivated in enviromentally friendly, organic methods (as it often is), and is a great source of protein for vegetarians (some of which refuse to eat meat for *enviromental* reasons). It also reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. Who likes soy anyways? I do.
I think you're right, so many times we don't really see what's going on in this world, and it's very sad because if we don't make a change now, we can loose a very important place in this world, I find very inconscious the attacks from the privates companies, that are only interesed in the soy, because even when is very nutritive, it doen't justify the reason of burning the forest and taking some many lives, because most important, the animals and plants are not guilty of the humans interests. Is very sad and also a shame recognize those persons like human beings, and I really hope that the Federal Prosecutors could stopped them, but we can also help, I'm interested in helping, please let me know if I can do something to help, Thank you. Peace out ~_~.
I think you're right, so many times we don't really see what's going on in this world, and it's very sad because if we don't make a change now, we can loose a very important place in this world, I find very inconscious the attacks from the privates companies, that are only interesed in the soy, because even when is very nutritive, it doen't justify the reason of burning the forest and taking some many lives, because most important, the animals and plants are not guilty of the humans interests. Is very sad and also a shame recognize those persons like human beings, and I really hope that the Federal Prosecutors could stopped them, but we can also help, I'm interested in helping, please let me know if I can do anything to help, Thank you. Peace out ~_~.
The picture really shows what happens
the amazones is one of the most amazing things of the world.
but its got to be saved
please everdbody HELP GREENPEACE
SVEN HENDRIX
