Ibama, Brazil’s national environmental protection agency, has stated that a process is underway to identify the perpetrators of the greatest amount of deforestation in the Amazon region and place them on a 'blacklist' similar to one created for companies that have used forced labour.
Ibama’s environmental protection director, Flávio Montiel, revealed that the fifty worst offenders in Pará, Mato Grosso and Rondônia (the three states that account for more than 80% of Amazon deforestation) have already been identified. As well as entering the blacklist, which will be released during the first half of 2008, they will receive ‘administrative, penal and civil’ sanctions.
The blacklist is being compiled by the Permanent Group for Environmental Responsibility, created by President Lula in December last year and co-ordinated by the Ministry of the Environment.
Ibama’s strategy against Amazon deforestation includes seventeen monitoring stations using geoprocessing technology with satellite images.
Montiel also stressed the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable productive activities in the Amazon region by offering low-interest credit.
Source: Agência Brasil and Embassy of Brazil in London
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