the Forest Law Center’s members ask for full veto of Deforestation Law

Six institutions that make up the Center’s Forest Code sent on Friday (09/01) an open letter to the governor of São Paulo calling the veto “Deforestation Law” (PL 219) , approved last December by the Legislative Assembly.

Geraldo Alckmin has until next Tuesday (13) to sanction or veto the bill proposed by a group of deputies of ruralistas government bench, creating the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA) status.

According to the Forest Code in force since May 2012, all states of the federation are required to create PRAs to monitor the environmental suitability of rural properties that do not meet the minimum requirements of the Code. To achieve the adjustment, owners will have to adhere to the PRAs and sign Terms of Conduct Adjustment (TAC) explaining how they regenerate, reforest or compensate their environmental liabilities.

According to members of the OCF, PL 219, as approved by the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo, violates the Forest Code when reduces forest protection established by it and poses a serious threat to the protection of native vegetation in the state of São Paulo, especially the recovery Cerrado biome. In addition to further aggravate the water crisis faced by the São Paulo population.

Sign the letter: Friends of the Earth – Brazilian Amazon, Environmental Group of Bahia (Possum), Green Initiative, Socio-Environmental Institute (ISA), the Environmental Research Institute of Amazonia (IPAM) and WWF – Brazil.

Read here the full text of the letter and the justification for vetoing items that most affect the forests and the São Paulo Cerrado.

Sign the petition “Governor veto the PL of Deforestation”:   http://bit.ly/1BTGIzq