Entity discusses usage of Atlantic Forest high fields for crops

The Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA) debated the usage of high altitude fields in the Atlantic Forest during a public event, this week, at the Senate.

The debate addressed the Bill Project (PL in Portuguese) 194/2018, which provides protection for native vegetation on high fields covered by the Atlantic Forest biome.

The project excludes high altitude fields from the Atlantic Forest Law and creates specific rules with a legal exploration, management and recovery of vegetation.

Rodrigo Justus, Legal and Environmental consultant at CNA Sustainability Coordination, stated that the creation of a new law similar to the Atlantic Forest Law will not solve the problem of land usage in that region.

Justus pointed out that the problem lies on Forest Code (law no. 12.651/12) application for the biome.

The CNA consultant also said the Forest Code regarding that region is not recognized in relation to area occupation and usage.

“Despite the report is about to be voted on, we are preparing an opinion for the commission on the subject”, he concluded.

The public hearing also received representatives from Embrapa, University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC), Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Federation of Agriculture of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Farsul) and Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).