Brazil: Amazon Rainforest Deforestation Rises Sharply

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First published in Sanctuary Asia, Vol. 31 No. 5, May 2011

 

Much of the destruction has been in Mato Grosso state, the centre of soya farming in Brazil.

 

The news comes shortly before a vote on new forest protection rules.

 

Brazilian Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said the figures were "alarming" and announced the setting up of a "crisis cabinet" in response to the news.

 

"Our objective is to reduce deforestation by July," the minister told a news conference. Read the full report here.

 

Source: BBC News, U.K.

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