The moratorium, which prohibits the purchase of soya from newly
deforested areas in the Amazon, or from farmers using indentured or
forced labourers, was the direct result of a Greenpeace
investigation documented in our 2006 report "Eating up the Amazon" and our subsequent
campaign. The moratorium will now run until July 2009. (1)
Several soya producers had begun using rising agricultural
commodity prices and global demand for grain to pressure Abiove
(2) and traders not to extend
the moratorium. A handful even used the global food crisis to
justify further Amazon deforestation. "The decision to extend the
moratorium against the backdrop of rising commodity prices and the
food crises shows that government and industry now understand that
it is possible to protect the forest, combat climate change and
still ensure food production," said Paulo Adario, Greenpeace Amazon
campaign director in Brazil.
Greenpeace, together with other NGOs, will continue to help
Abiove to bring effective governance to the soya industry in the
Amazon. Greenpeace warns however, that a one year extension may not
be long enough to build the tools necessary to ensure that soya
production does not result in further deforestation. (3)
An alliance of soya consumer companies, led by McDonalds, Marks
& Spencer and Carrefour also welcomed the extension decision
and, in a joint statement, renewed its commitment to
remaining actively engaged. In Brazil, the companies Wal-Mart,
Sadia and Yoki also supported the statement.
The direct involvement of the Brazilian government is key to
providing the framework essential for farmers to comply with the
law. (4)
"The moratorium is a successful initiative by civil society and
the soya industry. The Federal Government is entering the process
now and is committed to register and license all rural properties
in the Amazon biome," Minc told reporters. "Inspired by the success
of this initiative, the Brazilian government is negotiating similar
approaches with the timber and beef industries."
"We are delighted to see the new environment minister take an
active role in ensuring the continuation of the moratorium. Such
high level support helps Abiove and the traders convince farmers to
support the initiative. His support also serves as a warning to
those who continue to destroy forests that their soya will be
rejected by the market," concluded Adario.
Tropical forest destruction is responsible for nearly one-fifth
of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to the energy
sector. 75% of Brazil's emissions come from forest destruction,
making it the world's fourth largest greenhouse gas emitter.
Other contacts: Tica Minami, press officer for Greenpeace Amazon campaign:
+ 55 92 8114 4517
Paulo Adario, Greenpeace Amazon Campaign Director:
+ 55 92 8115 8928
Daniela Montalto, Greenpeace International Forests campaigner:
+ 31 6 461 62033
VVPR info: Greenpeace International photo desk: + 44 7801 615 889Greenpeace International video desk: + 31 6 461 62015
Notes: (1) On July 24th 2006, ABIOVE (Brazilian Association of Vegetal Oil Industry) and ANEC (National Association of Cereals Exporters) announced a two year moratorium on buying soya from newly deforested areas in the Amazon or from farmers using indentured or forced labourers. The moratorium followed an investigation by Greenpeace that proved that soya cultivation has become a new threat to the Amazon. A Soya Working Group (GTS) including ABIOVE, ANEC; soya traders; NGOs and social organisations was established in October 2006 to ensure the implementation of the moratorium. See Greenpeace updates on the progress of the implementation (2) ABIOVE and ANEC members, including major commodities giants Cargill, Bunge, ADM, Dreyfus and the Brazilian-based Ammagi, are responsible for more than 90% of the Brazilian soya trade.(3) On June 3, 2008, the Brazilian Space Agency INPE showed that Amazon deforestation increased to 1,423 km2 in April 2008 from 145 km2 in March. Because extensive cloud coverage made monitoring through satellite images difficult in certain areas, these are not final figures. More than 70% of the deforestation occurred in Mato Grosso which is the largest soya producing state in Brazil.(4) Effective measures to tackle deforestation include mapping rural properties and ownership; curbing illegal occupation of public land; harsh penalties for illegal deforestation; driving development to areas away from the rainforest and increasing support to sustainable activities. The System of Environmental Licensing of Rural Properties, a mechanism that enables authorities to monitor farms using geo-referenced maps and satellite imagery, must be implemented.