Brazilian state rolls back key environmental law curbing Amazon deforestation

A new law in Brazil's Mato Grosso state undermines a long-standing agreement to reduce Amazon deforestation by allowing tax incentives for soy produced in legally cleared areas, even in forests.

Fabiano Maisonnave reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Mato Grosso's new law ends tax incentives for companies that restrict soy cultivation to non-deforested land, weakening the 2006 Soy Moratorium agreement.
• Environmental advocates say the law will complicate efforts to monitor deforestation, especially as only soy from illegally cleared land would face restrictions.
• Brazil's national government is divided, with its environment secretary opposing the law while the agriculture minister supports it as fairer to farmers.

Key quote:

“Our European customers demand not to consume any products associated with deforestation.”

— Bernardo Pires, sustainability director of the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries

Why this matters:

The Soy Moratorium has been credited with curbing Amazon deforestation, and this new law risks increasing forest clearing for agriculture. The Amazon’s preservation is essential to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and regulate global rainfall patterns.